After some Maplewood residents’ Airbnb online rentals were shut down by the city two months ago, Maplewood Planning and Zoning will consider a draft ordinance that would allow short term rentals at its meeting on Monday at 7 p.m.
In the March meeting, Public Works Director Anthony Traxler told the commission he had found out that some residents were renting rooms in their homes using Airbnb. Traxler said it was against code, and he would shut the rental operations.
In a council meeting following that, Councilman Shawn Faulkingham reported that he went to the National League of Cities meeting in Washington, D.C., where he said Airbnb was discussed as part of what’s called a shared economy. He said it’s not going away, and Maplewood needs to figure out how to deal with it.
The proposed ordinance to allow rentals is three pages long. Below are some of the items:
- On an application, the city needs the name, address and phone number of a local contact who is available 24-7 to respond to complaints.
- The owner shall post the short term vacation rental permit on the outside of the house with a local contact number for complaints.
- If any guest creates a disturbance the owner shall stop it, or be subject to all administrative, legal and equitable remedies available to the city.
- No amplified or reproduced sound outside or audible from the house between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- On-site parking is allowed only on a driveway, garage or carport.
- Limit of two persons and or two bedrooms.
- The city manager has the authority to impose additional conditions to insure that any potential secondary affects are avoided.
I am very pleased with the quick turn around time of putting a draft in front of the P&Z. Although not in Shawn’s ward, I am glad there is a voice on the BoA that does represent me and is looking to better Maplewood.
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