GAINESVILLE – The Hall County Planning Commission gave a unanimous recommendation to changes in the ordinance governing short term housing rentals Wednesday evening (short term rentals being 30-days or less in length).
At first glance that might sound like changes are being made to an ordinance that affects few property owners, but in a place referred to as “the tourism and economic center of northeast Georgia” by the city of Gainesville, that ordinance might affect more people than many realize.
The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce agrees, saying on their website that “tourism is big business in Gainesville-Hall County.”
The Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that tourism brings over $300-million annually into our area.
Lake Lanier, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Olympic Rowing Venue, Brenau University, UNG and Lanier Tech, Road Atlanta and Chateau Elan: these are just a few of the reasons people come to Hall County for stays that might last weeks at a time, and those people need a place to stay.
Hotels and motels are often full and people wanting to stay for several weeks have begun to seek short term housing rentals as a viable option.
Websites such as VRBO.com (Vacation Rental by Owner) have become a mainstay in finding private homes that owners are willing to rent on a short term basis.
But like so many situations that grow in popularity, more use can lead to episodes of abuse, and a cry has gone out to update regulations that govern short term housing rentals.
Hall County Planning Director Srikanth Yamala told the Planning Commission that the current ordinance dates back to May, 2010. “Since then, obviously, things have changed, and with some direction by the Board of Commissioners, Hall County has initiated…overall changes to…short term rentals.”
The first change to the 2010 ordinance recommended by the Planning Department staff is, “removing short term rentals from the Residential One (R-1 zoning classification) category completely,” Yamala explained.
With the exception of one “grandfathered property”, according to Yamala, no more short term rentals will be allowed in neighborhoods zoned R-1.
The second change recommended by Yamala’s staff to the 2010 ordinance is to remove the blanket authority given to homes zoned V-C (Vacation-Cottage) allowing homeowners to rent whenever they choose to do so. “In other words, it’s a permitted use in every single Vacation-Cottage zoning classification.”
The new ordinance would make that “Use by Right” privilege subject to Hall County Commission approval, except , according to Yamala, for seven V-C properties that will be "grandfathered".
Also included in the recommended changes to the existing ordinance would be a requirement for property owners to have a designated agent or local contact person who, “shall be required to respond to the location of the short term rental 24-hours a day/7-days a week within one hour of being notified by the Hall County Marshall.”
“This is to make sure we have a live-person within an hour should there be an issue either by the Marshalls or by the neighboring property owners,” Yamala said.
“How hard is this going to be to police?” Planning Commission Chairman Don Smallwood asked.
Yamala answered, “That’s a good question. As with any enforcement we heavily rely on the neighbors to contact the Marshall’s Office or the Planning Department.”
Additionally going forward neighbors under the revised regulation would be advised in advance that a license permitting short term rentals had been issued.
“Hall County will mail a notice, at the owner’s expense, to all residences within 500-feet of the property line notifying the neighbors that a short term rental business license has been issued,” said Yamala.
Limits on how many overnight guests and how many vehicles would be allowed on the property are included in the updated ordinance.
“Up to four vehicles being parked either on the driveway or within the property,” Yamala said “with nothing parked on the right-of-way.” Yamala added that that number excluded vehicles parked inside a doored garage.
As to the number of overnight guests, Yamala said, “In the past there was no limitation on the occupancy of persons…but going forward the occupancy shall be limited to fifteen or below.”
“Fifteen persons per household is the cut-off,” Yamala said. That number is, “based on the Fire Marshall and the building official who is in charge of the International Building Code.”
Yamala said more overnight guests than that would subject the property to comply with commercial rental regulations including the need for ADA compliance, fire repression sprinkler systems, illuminated emergency exit signs,commercial kitchen standards, minimum ceiling heights and other stringent requirements.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the changes to the ordinance with a few minor additions, but it is apparent the finer details and logistics of the revised ordinance will need to be codified when the measure comes before the Hall County Commission for first reading and public comment at their March 6th meeting.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/2/639604/new-short-term-rental-regulations-passed-to-hall-county-commissioners