The city of Litchfield Park has identified close to 40 homes being rented out on a short-term basis as its new ordinance regulating vacation rentals takes effect, according to City Manager Matthew Williams.
The city’s code enforcement department worked to identify homes being rented out on a short-term basis on sites like Airbnb or Vrbo.
But those properties weren’t the challenge, Williams said during a Wednesday council meeting.
“It’s easy to find the ones that are listed through Airbnb or through other companies. It’s the (private) ones that are hard to find,” he said.
The city’s new ordinance adopted in January marks the first time Litchfield Park has attempted to regulate short-term vacation rentals.
The new ordinance requires homeowners to register their vacation rental with the city, and prohibits any non-residential use, such as renting a home out for parties or events.
READ: Litchfield Park votes to regulate vacation rental homes
The new ordinance also requires homeowners to post their contact information in a conspicuous place in the rental and requires homeowners to be available either in person or over the phone, should law enforcement ask to speak to them.
Homeowners could pay a $500 fine for a first-time offense.
Those who commit three or more offenses in a 24-month period could be deemed “habitual offenders” and may face a class-one misdemeanor.
Penalties could include a fine of up to $2,500 and a jail sentence of up to six months for anyone who “causes, permits, facilitates, aides or abets” violations.
Litchfield Park is among a wave of Valley cities attempting to reign in short-term vacation rentals, though Williams said during a Feb. 9 email to Independent Newsmedia that the ordinance was preemptive, and not in response to any specific problem.
Letters soon will be sent to homeowners of short-term rental properties informing them of the ordinance.
When asked if homeowners could be denied a permit for any reason, Williams responded “no” over email, and said that those who register with the city should not expect any processing delays.
When registration becomes available, homeowners can register their properties in-person or online and are asked to do so as soon as possible, Williams said.
Homeowners must update their information with the city within 10 days of any changes.
Madeline Ackley Salazar can be reached at mackley@iniusa.org or found on Twitter @Mkayackley.
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February 19, 2022 at 04:26AM
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Litchfield Park identifies close to 40 short-term rentals in community - Your Valley
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