Whitefish tackles rental violations

The Daily Inter Lake

The Whitefish City Council today takes up the issue of short-term rental violations in residential zones.

A 5:30 p.m. workshop at City Hall will focus on enforcement and remediation options for violations. During the regular meeting that begins at 7:10 p.m., the council will consider a resolution that would provide temporary amnesty for violators.

Whitefish zoning doesn't allow rentals of less than 30 days in residential zones.

When it came to the city's attention a few months ago that various property management firms and others were chronically violating the 30-day limit, the city notified the agencies and the council directed the city staff to develop a plan to provide temporary amnesty for violators to allow the city to explore possible solutions.

Tom McCrea of Whitefish Property Management told the council last month that he handles the rental of about two-dozen homes and condominium units, many of which have been rented on a short-term basis. He said he has units booked through next summer, and taking that many beds out of the vacation rentals would create a hardship.

A proposed resolution would allow property owners and management companies to register with the city, buy a business license and agree to pay resort taxes on short-term rentals in exchange for a period of amnesty.

At the Nov. 19 council meeting, several homeowners in neighborhoods where rental violations are occurring addressed the council.

Former Whitefish Mayor James Putnam said he pushed hard in the early 1980s to get residential zoning to protect neighborhood integrity.

"R-1 [residential] zoning was very dear to us," Putnam said. "These neighborhoods are the soul of the community and over the years people have tried to change the zoning."

Putnam said his peace and quiet was intruded upon when a neighbor started renting his house by the week.

Joe Malletta, representing Birch Hill neighbors, said he and others are concerned about the rental violations not only because of quality-of-life issues but also because of safety concerns.

"Rental owners calling foul to me is a joke," Malletta said. "Responsible citizens police themselves. If people want to make money [from short-term rentals] they should invest in commercial areas."

Those violating the 30-day rental requirement are subject to a fine of up to $500 and six months in jail.

The council has no public hearings on tonight's agenda. This will be the final meeting of the year; the Dec. 17 meeting has been canceled because of the holiday season.