Court case calls Jackson’s short-term rental ban illegal

A court case is challenging Jackson’s ban on short-term residential rentals as unconstitutional.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports that defendants Nancy Lee and Charles Schmidt are accused of renting a unit in a suburban residential zone on websites like VRBO and Airbnb. They are also accused of advertising the unit on those sites.

A town ordinance makes it illegal to advertise short-term rentals or communicate with a potential renter about short-term rentals. The defendants say the ordinance is illegal because talking or advertising about something illegal is not illegal.

They claim that ordinance is unconstitutional because it puts undue pressure on defendants to prove their innocence.

City officials say they will likely still charge Lee and Schmidt with other renting the property even if the advertising charge is dropped.

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Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com