Permit Requirements for Vacation Rentals: All Vacation Rentals Operating in Pacific County Require a Permit from the Department of Community Development (DCD)
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Permit Requirements for Vacation Rentals: All vacation rentals operating in Pacific County require a permit from the Department of Community Development (DCD). The underlying land use designation (zoning) determines the type of permit required. Vaca- tion rentals in properties designated as Resort (R-3), Community Com- mercial (C-C), or Mixed-Use Tokeland (MU-T) are allowed as a permitted use and require a Type I (Administrative Zoning) review by DCD. Vaca- tion rentals in residentially zoned areas such as the Restricted Residen- tial (R-1), General Residential (R-2), Rural Residential (R-R), Rural Lands (R-L), or Mixed Use (MU) districts require a Type II review (Special Use Permit) in order o operate. Special Use Permits employ a public hearing process allowing for public comment and input. *Vacation rentals are prohibited within the Restricted Residential (R-1) district located within the Seaview Urban Growth Area. Pacific County Does Permit Application for the Vacation Rental Guarantee an Approval? Making the application for either the Administrative Zoning Review Per- mit or the Special Use Permit does not guarantee that a permit authoriz- ing the vacation rental will be granted. These types of permits are dis- cretionary and are based on whether (1) the applicant can demonstrate compliance with the minimum standards necessary for approval, and (2) whether issues, concerns or problems raised during the review process are able to be resolved or mitigated. During the permit review process, the Department of Community Devel- opment or the Hearing’s Examiner may impose additional conditions on the project such as additional parking, improved access, landscaping, or additional screening to ensure the proposed vacation rental is compatible with the surrounding residential character. Are there Application Fees for Vacation Rental Permits? Both the Administrative Zoning Review Permit and the Special Use Per- mit require application fees. For a current fee schedule, please contact the Pacific County Department of Community Development. Please note: all fees are due at time of application and are non-refundable. For a complete short term vacation rental application packet visit: http://www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/planning_forms.html For additional information, please contact either office of the Department of Community Development listed on the front of this brochure. P.O. Box 68/1216 W. Robert Bush Dr. South Bend, WA 98586 (360) 875-9356 FAX (360) 875-9304 Revised 03/13/18 SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL VACATION RENTALS OPERATING STANDARDS What are Short Term Vacation Rentals? Vacation Rental Operating Standards Short term vacation rentals are single-family residential dwellings rented Owners shall obtain a revocable vacation rental annual license from Pacific out for periods of less than 30 days. These types of vacation rentals are County (License requirements are listed within Section 21.N of Pacific County different from other, more traditional types of short term rental Ordinance No. 184). accommodations such as Bed & Breakfast’s, Hotels, Motels, Each Vacation Rental shall be limited to no more than two overnight guests per Condominiums, Time Shares, etc., in that they generally consist of renting bedroom, plus two additional overnight guests. The total number of guests out a residential dwelling in a residential neighborhood and normally do not temporarily residing in a vacation rental shall not exceed 10 at any one time. have any type of management presence on-site during the rental period. So, if you are renting out a three bedroom cabin, you would be able to Vacation rentals are relatively common in the Long Beach Peninsula and accommodate no more than eight overnight guests. the Grayland/Tokeland areas as they are more tourist and recreation The exterior of the buildings shall retain a residential appearance with house oriented. numbers maintained on the front of the building and visible from the street or road. No junk or garbage shall be allowed to accumulate in any yards and all Are Short Term Vacation Rentals Regulated and vehicles shall park in designated parking areas. The vacation rental shall be operated in a way that will prevent disturbances to Why? neighboring properties not typical of a residential neighborhood, including but Pacific County Ordinance 184, Zoning, places some limitations and not limited to, loud music, loud noises, excessive traffic, loud and uncontrolled standards on the use of short term vacation rentals in specific land use parties, junk/debris/garbage accumulation in the yards, trespassing, barking districts throughout the County. Prior to the adoption of the vacation rental dogs, or excess vehicles, boats or recreational vehicles parked in the streets in regulations, short term vacation rentals were prohibited in many areas of front of the unit. the County. Garbage. Provisions shall be made for garbage removal during rental periods and said provisions shall be documented in the Property Management Plan. While it may seem relatively simple and an easy way to make some extra Proof of said service shall be provided on request by Pacific County. Any cash or help pay the mortgage on a second home, the renting out of one’s complaints regarding littering or garbage shall be resolved immediately. home for short periods of time raises a whole host of issues and concerns. Pets. Pets shall be secured at all times while on the property. Nuisance barking Generally, short term vacation rentals occur in residential neighborhoods, by pets is prohibited. many of which contain a mixture of seasonal and permanent residents. Phone Service. The vacation rental shall have a “land line” with local phone Vacation rentals can bring large groups of people into neighborhoods for service. The phone number servicing the vacation rental shall be included in the short periods of time adding to neighborhood congestion, parking property management plan. problems, noise problems, garbage problems, security concerns, etc. Parking. The vacation rental shall have one off-street parking space per each Having large groups of strangers next door can be uncomfortable for many bedroom in the unit with a minimum of two off-street parking spaces required. people. Signage. One sign either attached to the dwelling or placed in front of the dwelling and containing no more than four square feet, is permitted. No off Short term vacation rentals are considered a type of commercial use and premise signage or advertising is permitted. are subject to normal State Business licensing requirements and are On properties containing both a residential dwelling and an accessory required to pay local taxes, including the local lodging tax. residential dwelling, only one residential structure may be rented out as a short term vacation rental, but not both. Pacific County also wants to make sure that the vacation rental’s on-site Access. The road access to the vacation rental shall be constructed to meet sewage disposal system is adequate to accommodate large crowds and minimum Pacific County Road standards and shall be adequately maintained overuse doesn’t lead to a potential public health threat. The County also and remain clear of obstructions, including illegally parked cares, recreational wants to ensure that minimum life safety matters are considered such as vehicles, boats, trailers, junk, etc., to ensure the unimpeded passage of adequate emergency access, working smoke detectors, stair handrails, emergency vehicles and other vehicular traffic. accessible gas shut-off valves, etc., so that in the case of an emergency, Property Management. A property management plan demonstrating how the renters unfamiliar with the residential dwelling they are staying in, are able vacation rental will be managed and how impacts to neighboring properties will to make it out of the dwelling safely. be minimized shall be submitted for review and approval as part of the permitting & licensing process. The property management plan shall include local points of contact available to respond immediately to complaints, clean up garbage, manage unruly tenants, etc., shall be mailed to all adjoining property owners within 300’ as a condition of license approval, and shall be posted in a visible location within the vacation rental. The vacation rental shall meet all applicable State and local health, safety and building codes. .