Idaho Falls slowly wades into the hot pool of short-term rentals

“A slow process.” That’s what city leaders called the job of creating guidelines or rules over what city homeowners are allowed to do with short-term rentals.

By definition, short-term rentals when people pay to stay at another person’s house for 30 days or less. People can rent anything from a couch, a room, or the entire house if it’s available.

The trend has become increasingly popular thanks to socially driven websites like Airbnb.com. Idaho Falls is one of hundreds of cities around the country grappling with this new advent of the social economy.

Many of the city ordinances across the country and in Idaho Falls were written decades ago, and don’t take into account the ramifications of short-term rentals. City council members and zoning leaders say it’s also something the city wants to be careful with, as short-term rentals are becoming a polarizing topic.

Several people on both sides of the issue came to listen in on today’s discussion to get an idea of what the city was looking at, even though no decisions were made.

“My biggest concern is who’s coming into my neighborhood,” said Doug Hymas who has some concerns about short-term rentals in his neighborhood. “How do we know that they’re not something we don’t want.”

Hymas said much of Idaho is a very community driven state and that’s one reason why people like living here. “We want to make sure we protect that,” said Hymas.

Also at the city council work session was Nancy Boland, a supporter of short-term rentals who has had many positive experiences being a host herself.

“The part that keeps me coming back, that’s the most rewarding is that it’s a cultural exchange,” said Boland. “I make friends with people that come from all over the country and all over the world. Some of them get to be friends, some of them get to be lifetime friend, almost like family.”

Boland said while she gets a lot of tourists that stay at her home, she also gets many traveling professional like nurses, INL scientists, or marketing representatives that are tired of the hotel life. “I see the impact on our community as being very positive,” said Boland. “Many of the concerns that people have are across the board whether it’s with rental, or not rental.”

City council members expressed concerns from both sides of the issue.

Ed Marohn brought up several concerns including traffic on neighborhood streets, the effect on local businesses, and the fact these private residences up for short-term rent don’t have the same safety standards as the hotel industry.

Barbara Ehardt brought up several counter points such as homes already have safety codes, that the social economy provides business opportunities for the individual and the fact that many homeowners already operate businesses out of their own homes like salons or wood-working shops.

Every council members including both Marohn and Ehardt agreed that more discussion and study was needed as each side of the argument has valid points.

Idaho Falls city leaders have a tentative plan in to start working with parties interested in short-term rentals policy in January. They hope to have a finalized plan that can be voted on in March.