City of Greeley News

Greeley residents and other interested parties can help shape future regulation of short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and VRBOs in Greeley by providing feedback on recommended standards as they move toward becoming city code.

Until Nov. 18, Greeley residents and community members can learn about these recommended standards and give opinions and comments through an online form at greeleygov.com/str. Click the green “feedback” button on the page and complete the form to help guide the future of short-term rentals in Greeley.

City staff presented these proposed standards at an open house meeting last month. Officials want to ensure all community members who wish to become involved in the process have an opportunity to provide feedback.

Earlier this year, Greeley City Council adopted the Strategic Housing Plan. That plan tasked the community to develop regulations, specifically addressing short-term rentals and ensure they are a positive addition to the community.

Regulations can help address common concerns regarding short-term rentals such as:

• Changes to neighborhood character
• Additional nuisances including noise, trash, and parking
• Conversion of dwelling units for residents into vacation lodging
• Effects on traditional visitor lodging such as hotels
• Unrealized tax revenue due to a lack of collection mechanisms
• Tension with neighbors due to unclear expectations
• Disillusionment with local government because of unaddressed problems associated with short-term rentals.

City staff collaborated with a group of community stakeholders assembled as the Housing Task Force. Together they developed a series of objectives to guide the creation of a regulatory framework for short-term rentals.

Those objectives are:

1. Only adopt policy requirements that can and will be enforced
2. Keep regulations and processes simple and understandable
3. Tailor regulations to the scale and intensity of an operation
4. Use existing tools and frameworks when possible
5. Maximize the availability of affordable housing options by limiting dwelling unit conversions
6. Provide a level playing field in the lodging industry by ensuring short-term rentals pay appropriate taxes and abide by expected standards
7. Ensure public services funded by lodging tax receive proper revenue
8. Minimize work on compliance personnel by requiring permits and responsible local contacts
9. Allow residents to use their property to generate another source of income to help make ends meet
10. Encourage additional tourism to drive more business to local establishments and events

With the objectives providing a foundation, members of the Housing Task Force analyzed the practices used in other cities to regulate short-term rentals and created draft strategies for Greeley. The recommended regulatory strategies are available at greeleygov.com/str and feedback from the public is desired through the same webpage.

For more information, contact Planner II Caleb Jackson at 970-350-9876 or caleb.jackson@greeleygov.com.