1. Districts Where Allowed. Vacation Rentals are allowed in the residential districts of the City.
2. Permit Required.
A. A Permit must be obtained for each Unit.
B. Permit Application Fee. A non-refundable application fee of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) shall be due at the time of the submission of an application. This fee is per unit location. Any first time permit shall be charged pro-rata based on months before the September 30th expiration.
C. Permit Applications. All permit applications shall be submitted to the Planning & Zoning and Building Department on approved forms. Applications shall contain such information as: 1) the location/addressof each Vacation Rental, 2) the number of bedrooms in each Unit, 3) the property owner’s name, address, and phone number, 4) the local contact person’s name, address and phone number, 5) a proposed parking plan, 6) a copy of a typical rental agreement, 7) sales tax collection number for the State of Iowa, and 8) any other information reasonably necessary to establish the required use.
D. Public Notice of Application. Notices will be mailed via standard mail to all property owners located within 300 feet of the Vacation Rental within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the completed application. Property owners will have ten (10) days from the date of the notice to respond in writing to the Planning & Zoning Department. Responses to the notice will be considered in the review process.
E. Review Process. A permit will be granted within sixty (60) days of the date of the filing of the application unless the applicant fails to meet the minimum standard(s) for use of the real property as a Vacation Rental as outlined herein or for other good cause shown. The review process shall also include any responses and complaint(s) by citizens in response to the notice. The review includes staff review of documentation pertaining to the dwelling or structure, zoning, building codes, and/or other applicable laws or regulations. Filed complaints involving violations of the zoning ordinance, building codes, and/or applicable laws or regulations may be a basis for denying a permit.
F. Copies of violations and complaints shall be made available to the Applicant. A permit which has been denied may be appealed to the Planning & Zoning Commission within 10 days of notification of denial and thereafter to the City Council by presenting copies of the application and any violations and complaints to the Clerk of the City Council for Council's review and scheduling of the appeal. The Applicant shall be notified not less than fourteen (14) days before the scheduled appeal before the City Council.
G. Term of the Permit. Each Permit shall be for one (1) year and shall expire on September 30 of each year.
H. Renewal of Permit. Renewal of each License and Permit may be obtained for one-hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00). This renewal fee is per permit location. The Permit renewal process will include City review of City records and other documentation pertaining to complaints, if any, that have been received about the specific Unit under consideration. Filed complaints involving violations of the zoning codes, building codes, and/or applicable laws or regulations may be a basis for denying a permit renewal.
I. Approval of a Permit does not legalize any non-permitted use or structure. Units are not to be used to distribute retail products or personal services to invitees for marketing or similar purposes. The outdoor display of goods and merchandise for sale is prohibited.
J. Licenses and Permits granted pursuant to this Ordinance are non-transferrable.
K. Upon the sale and transfer and or change of ownership of the real property for which a permit has been obtained, the new owner shall apply for a new permit in accordance with this Ordinance.
L. Any Unit that is deed-restricted, covenant restricted, and/or classified as affordable housing shall not be used as a Vacation Rental or Short-Term rental. Compliance shall be the responsibility of the Applicant.
M. Units existing as of May 1, 2017 will have forty five (45) days from the date of, May 1, 2017, to obtain a permit.
N. A Permit may be revoked following the receipt of a written notice of violation of this Ordinance stating the reasons for any violations. The Licensee shall have ten (10) days to correct any violation(s). Any revocation of a Permit by the Planning & Zoning Department may be appealed through the appeals process set forth herein.