I put together a Request For Proposals for STR monitoring and enforcement services, which was released this week. There are companies that crawl the web for STR advertisements, and check them against the legally permitted STRs and the local ordinances. I put together this RFP for unincorporated Ouray County, but because representatives from the City of Ouray and Town of Ridgway also expressed interest, the County added them in for proposals as well. I believe coordinating all three local governments is best whenever possible. After we get proposals back in mid-August, there will be a public work session to discuss details.
Next, I would like to revise the County’s STR Ordinance this fall to address exclusive-use STRs where a house, condo, ADU, etc is exclusively used as a STR. It is my opinion that is a commercial business operating in a residentially zoned (and taxed) property. Residential property is taxed at 7.15%, and Hotels and commercial “lodging properties” are taxed at 29%. This is a loophole that hurts commercial businesses.
I am in favor of people who live in their house as their primary residence to be able to STR a room, a lockoff, or the whole house for some limited period, like a teacher short term renting over the summer. But a house that is used exclusively as a STR that would otherwise be a long term rental, or lived in full time is a major factor in the housing crisis.
This is my position as one of three Commissioners, and I cannot do anything without the other Board members. And County policy would only apply to the unincorporated County, but I hope that an open community discussion can help all three governments adopt similar rules.
For folks who would like to discuss further on this, or any other County issue, I can be reached at:
County cell phone: 970 318 8204
jniece@ouraycountyco.gov
keep an eye on the BOCC agendas here: https://ouraycountyco.gov/AgendaCenter/Board-of-County-Commissioners-1
STR Request For Proposal: https://ouraycountyco.gov/259/Bids-and-Request-for-Proposals-RFPs