Short term rentals allowed, but not just yet

Some details on short-term rentals in Grand Coulee will still have to be decided before they are allowed.

The Star reported previously that the Grand Coulee City Council approved an ordinance allowing for short-term rentals in residential zones in the city but neglected to report that it will still take some time before people can actually offer the short-term rentals. 

“The ordinance we passed was the first step in preparation for the updated Comprehensive Plan,” City Clerk Lorna Pearce explained in an email, with the updated comprehensive plan being adopted just last night at their city council meeting.

The council also needs to set guidelines for short-term rental businesses, Pearce said. That would likely happen before the end of the year.

“There has not been much discussion as to what possible restrictions may be placed,” such as on the number of people and vehicles allowed, and on noise, she said. “That will all need to be worked out prior to any short-term rentals getting the ok from the City.”

Short-term rental businesses will be required to get both a state of Washington master business license and a Grand Coulee business license, Pearce said. “These are not negotiable,” she said. “The state license is required because of the taxes that these types of rentals are required to pay to the state of Washington.”

Pearce added that local lodging tax money comes from those taxes.