Comment on Canyon short-term rental rules

Flathead County residents have until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to submit written protests to the Flathead County commissioners’ resolution of intention to amend three portions of the text of the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System to create regulations for short-term, or vacation rentals.

The amendments will add short-term rental housing performance standards, require minor land-use approval for short term rentals and will also add a definition of the properties.

According to staff reports, the current definition of “single family dwelling” does not contain language requiring occupancy for 30 days or longer; therefore short-term rentals have been deemed a permitted use in the Middle Canyon Area.

In recent years, community members around the Middle Canyon area have taken note of an increase in the short-term rentals. Among other things, they have expressed concerns over there not being any performance standard requirements associated with operating the short-term rentals.

The proposed text amendment can be read in its entirety at the Flathead County Planning and Zoning office or can be found online at www.flathead.mt.gov/planning_zoning.