HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Agenda Packet 2024-01-24
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 24, 2024
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Notice is hereby given that the Port Angeles Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday,
January 24, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall located at 321
E. 5th Street, Port Angeles, WA. This meeting will be conducted as a hybrid meeting. In hybrid
meetings, members of the public, Committee members, and City staff have the option to attend the
meeting in person at City Hall or remotely through the Webex virtual meeting platform. For those
planning to attend remotely, learn how to watch the meeting live and participate during the public
comment period by visiting: https://www.cityofpa.us/Live-Virtual-Meetings.
For audio only please call: 1-844-992-4726
Use access code: 2558 355 2484
Webinar password: Jan242024 (52624202 from phones and video systems)
Once connected press *3 to raise your virtual hand, if you wish to make a comment or public
testimony. You will be notified when it is your turn to speak. This access code will only work for
the January 24, 2024 meeting.
If you are joining the meeting through the Webex link and wish to make a comment or provide
public testimony, please use the “raise your hand” feature in Webex. You will be notified when it
is your turn to speak.
Virtual Webex Meeting Link:
https://cityofpa.webex.com/cityofpa/j.php?MTID=m53ca547e910bd95943506a08913830ab
The meeting is open to the public.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the December 27, 2023 Regular Meeting
V. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Short-Term Lodging – Title 17 Port Angeles Municipal Code Amendment
Public hearing for Municipal Code Amendment No. 23-80 proposing Title 17 Port
Angeles Municipal Code (PAMC) amendments to adopt short-term lodging regulations
January 24, 2024 Planning Commission Agenda Packet Page 1 of 17
applicable to short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts. The proposal includes the
adoption of Chapters 17.23 and 17.24 PAMC and the repeal of Chapter 17.18 PAMC.
VI. STAFF UPDATES
VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
Hybrid Meeting – In Person and Virtual
City Council Chambers: 321 E 5th Street, Port Angeles, Washington 98362
December 27, 2023, at 6:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Stanley opened the meeting at 6:03 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Benjamin Stanley (Chair)
Tammy Dziadek
Marolee Smith
James Taylor
Commissioners Absent: Richie Ahuja
Colin Young
City Staff Present: Ben Braudrick (Planning Supervisor)
Zach Trevino (Associate Planner)
Public Present: Chelsea Botero, Mandy Gallacci, Christian Hampp, John Ralston,
additional unidentified members of the public
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Stanley opened the meeting to general public comment.
The following individual provided comment:
• John Ralston commended the PC on changes to cottage housing and other recent code
amendments. He has no vested interest in short-term rentals but supports them. He
stated that City staff and the Planning Commission have spent too much time on short-
term rentals. He noted that the online short-term rental survey is difficult to
comprehend and suggested that the City should allow for 4-5% of its housing stock
to be short-term rentals.
Chair Stanley closed the meeting to general public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Commissioner Smith moved to approve the minutes from the November 29,
2023 special meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Dziadek and passed unanimously (4-0) through a consent vote.
January 24, 2024 Planning Commission Agenda Packet Page 4 of 17
Planning Commission Minutes
December 27, 2023
Page 2
ACTION ITEMS
1. Façade and Sign Improvement Program Grant Application No. 23-03
Planner Trevino provided an overview of the grant request for improvements to a façade at
629 E Front Street. The applicant, Christian Hampp, declined to provide a presentation but
offered to answer questions. Staff’s presentation was followed by an opportunity for the
Planning Commission to ask questions of staff and the applicant. The Planning Commission
discussed the request and provided feedback to the applicant on the proposed scope of work.
Chair Stanley moved to approve FSG Application No. 23-03 as proposed by the applicant.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Smith moved to consider FSG Application No. 23-03 at a later date when
the applicant resubmits the request with alternative options, with other contractor bids,
and with signage incorporated. The motion died for lack of a second.
Chair Stanley stated that the applicant is welcome to contact staff about resubmitting the
application, but that the Planning Commission is not approving the application at this meeting.
Planner Braudrick confirmed that staff will work with the applicant to prepare an amended
submittal.
2. Façade and Sign Improvement Program Grant Application No. 23-04
Planner Trevino provided an overview of the grant request for improvements to a structure at
619 E First Street. The applicant’s representative, Chelsea Botero, presented the applicant’s
request for grant funding. The Planning Commission discussed the request and asked the
applicant questions regarding the proposed scope of work. The Planning Commission
expressed an intent to fund signage improvements, which were not originally requested for
funding under FSG Application No. 23-04.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve funding of FSG Application No. 23-04 as
presented by the applicant, with the addition of funding for the proposed sign. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Dziadek and passed unanimously (4-0) through
a roll call vote.
STAFF UPDATES
City staff provided the following updates to the Commission:
• Planner Braudrick acknowledged the long email that was distributed to the Planning
Commission and urged the Commissioners to contact staff if they have questions about
it. He explained that he wanted the email to provide as much information as the
Commission would need about the work plan for 2024 and 2025. He explained that
there was availability for the November meeting to discuss housing, but the
Commission’s upcoming work plan will be busy. He confirmed that staff will try to
incorporate discussions into future meetings.
• Planner Braudrick stated that staff received direction from the City Council to proceed
with an outreach program for short-term rentals. He noted that staff will be present at the
Winter Ice Village for a listening post the night of December 28th. Staff will be present at
the Port Angeles Farmer’s Market on January 6th. He explained that there will be a special
January 24, 2024 Planning Commission Agenda Packet Page 5 of 17
Planning Commission Minutes
December 27, 2023
Page 3
Planning Commission meeting on January 11th for a community outreach event. He
explained that a public hearing for the short-term lodging draft code will occur on January
24, 2024 in front of the Planning Commission. He urged the Commissioners to keep
January 11th and January 24th open on their schedules.
• Planner Braudrick confirmed that the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update
effort will be moving forward soon.
Commissioner Smith asked why she was unable to access Laserfiche online. Planner
Braudrick explained that the website limits the number of users that can use the portal at any
one time and invited her to contact staff for assistance.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
• Commissioner Taylor read the short-term rental survey and saw wording issues. He
asked whether it would be typical for a survey to come before the Commission for its
approval before it was launched. He noted that the infill exemptions in the fee schedule
have confusing wording and the Commission could help the City clarify the wording.
• Commissioner Taylor stated that he would have liked to have heard about the permit-
ready plan sets from City staff instead of the Peninsula Daily News.
• Chair Stanley stated that he believes the housing discussion at the last Planning
Commission meeting was productive. He stated that the Chair has the power to set some
agenda items. He also noted that the Planning Commission should have time to discuss
housing. He expressed disappointment at staff’s directive regarding this matter. He will
keep pushing to improve housing in Port Angeles and wants housing on future meeting
agendas.
• Commissioner Taylor asked when the new Planning Commission seats will be filled.
Planner Braudrick confirmed that applications have been received and the positions
will be filled in March. Chair Stanley recommended that the election of a Vice Chair
be added to the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stanley moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Smith and passed unanimously (4-0) through a consent vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 PM.
Zach Trevino, Secretary Benjamin Stanley, Chair
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Zach Trevino, Secretary
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January 24, 2024 | Page 1 of 10
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Department of Community and Economic Development
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
RE: Municipal Code Amendment No. 23-80 - Short-term Lodging Regulations and Licensing
STAFF REPORT
CONTENTS
I. Background and Overview .......................................................................................................... 1
II. Outreach, Engagement and Public Notice Procedures ............................................................. 3
III. Public Comment ........................................................................................................................ 4
IV. Findings of Fact & Staff Analysis ............................................................................................... 5
VII. Recommendation ................................................................................................................... 10
VIII. Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 10
I. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Short-Term Lodging can impact communities in many ways. Short-Term Lodging options provide
accommodations to tourists, contribute lodging and sales tax to communities, and are a source of
income for residents who own and operate them. Short-Term Lodging can also impact housing
attainability for residents and may affect long-term housing stock. In order to balance local
economic development and tourism services with our community’s long-term housing needs, the
City of Port Angeles has initiated updates to the Port Angeles Municipal Code (PAMC). The goal is
to establish a fair and transparent licensing system and more effectively regulate short-term
lodging operations – specifically short-term rentals (STRs) and bed-and-breakfasts – in Port
Angeles.
In 2017, Ordinance 3577 was passed amending Title 17 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. This
ordinance provided a definition for Short-Term Rentals (STRs) for the first time in Port Angeles’
municipal history. It also listed STRs as an allowed use in the Residential Medium Density (RMD)
zone, Residential High Density (RHD) zone, and in all of the City’s Commercial zones, except for
the Commercial Office (CO), where STRs require a Conditional Use Permit. Prior to Ordinance
3577, STRs were excluded as a use and not allowed within city limits.
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P&Z Application No. 23-80| City-wide Municipal Code Changes
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In 2020, the City contracted with Madrona Law Group to examine the entirety of the City’s
municipal code for compliance with existing state and federal statutes to ensure proper
management and enforcement of provisions such as code enforcement, fee structures, licenses,
and general provisions; provide consistency and readability throughout; and reduce redundancy.
During that process, a community survey yielded resident feedback on several critical issues.
Short-term rental regulations were included in that survey, and 55% percent of the respondents
felt that some regulation of short-term rentals was necessary. Seven percent of respondents felt
that STRs should not be allowed at all.
On June 6, 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a limited moratorium on
certain new short-term rentals. The limited moratorium, which took effect June 16, 2023, and
ended on December 16, 2023, did not ban all short-term rentals within City limits. Instead, its
purpose was to prohibit the establishment of new short-term rentals located within Residential
Medium-Density and Residential High-Density zones. The limited moratorium did not impact:
• Existing short-term rentals that are compliant with current zoning requirements.
• New short-term rentals located in commercial zones.
• The rental of rooms within a house where the owner resides.
• Owners who rent out their homes while on vacation or where the entire housing unit is
rented out for 30 days or less during the calendar year.
On that same date, the City Council authorized staff to contract with GovOS, Inc. to support the
regulation of short-term rentals. A contract was signed on June 29, 2023. The steps identified for
the regulatory process include:
• Complete an inventory of all short-term rental properties within City limits. This inventory
will indicate which properties are allowed within the zoning designation, which are
registered as short-term rentals, and how much lodging tax is being generated.
• Bring non-registered properties used as short-term rentals into compliance. This includes
public and stakeholder engagement strategies and drafting regulations for a program to
license and create a fee schedule for existing and future STR operations in compliance with
zoning designations.
• Implement a combined licensing/fee submission portal and compliance program.
City staff have drafted separate regulatory approaches for short-term rentals and bed-and-
breakfast operations.
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P&Z Application No. 23-80| City-wide Municipal Code Changes
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• NEW Chapter 17.23 PAMC - Short-Term Rentals, containing proposed regulatory measures
for short-term rental operations; and
• NEW Chapter 17.24 PAMC - Bed And Breakfasts, contained proposed regulatory measures
for bed-and-breakfast operations
• REPEALED Chapter 17.18 Bed and Breakfast, containing existing regulations for bed and
breakfast operations as conditional uses;
Specific to short-term rentals, staff are proposing five separate regulatory alternatives that will
determine where and how potential STRs may operate based upon location and a new defined
short -term rental typology:
Type 1: A short-term rental at a dwelling that is the owner or designated lessee’s principal
residence and where either (1) rooms are rented, and the owner is personally present at the
dwelling during the rental period, or (2) the entire dwelling is rented for no more than 90 total
days in a calendar year. Portions of calendar days shall be counted as whole days.
Type 2: A short-term rental at a dwelling that is not the owner’s or designated lessee’s principal
residence, or a dwelling that is rented out more than 90 days per calendar year.
The five options and alternatives are based on zoning and the relative location to other short-term
rentals. See the proposal summary (Appendix A) and draft municipal code amendment (Appendix
B) for details on the proposed changes.
II. OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC NOTICE PROCEDURES
Staff provided public outreach for the draft code amendment in several different forms:
• Public Outreach and Participation Plan.
• Dedicated webpage for the update.
• Public events and locations as a listening post.
• Virtual survey.
• Outreach opportunities on Facebook.
• Public workshop at the Port Angeles Senior and Community Center.
Public Outreach was performed in the following ways and dates:
• December 13, 2023, Mayor Dexter talks about the short-term rental code amendments on
the KONP radio station.
• December 19, 2023, the project was launched on the City’s website and distributed to RSS
feeds.
• December 21, 2023, Reminder press release for public engagement posted to website.
• December 21, 2023, Digital Survey posted to Short-term Rental webpage and pop-up to
website landing page.
• December 28, 2023, hosted a kiosk from 3 to 7 PM at Winter Ice Village (30 in attendance).
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P&Z Application No. 23-80| City-wide Municipal Code Changes
January 24, 2024 | Page 4 of 10
• December 29, 2023, Press Release for Short-term rental data release.
• January 3, 2024 Public Hearing with Planning Commission posted to City Website
• January 3, 2024, City Manager West talks about the short-term rental code amendments
on KONP radio.
• January 5, 2024, press release for Public Workshop at the Senior and Community Center.
• January 6, 2024, staff hosted a kiosk from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Port Angeles Farmers’
Market (40 in attendance).
• January 10, 2024, Mayor Dexter talks about the short-term rental code amendments on
KONP radio.
• January 11, 2024, 4 to 7 PM Housing Workshop at the Port Angeles Senior and Community
Center (50 in attendance).
Short-term Lodging regulations were discussed at the public meetings of the Port Angeles Planning
Commission and City Council on the following dates:
• June 6, 2023 – City Council
• June 20, 2023 – City Council
• September 27, 2023 – Planning Commission
• November 21, 2023 – City Council
The code amendments reflect a robust public outreach process. The public comments process is
explained in the Public Comment section of this report and referenced in the appendices. This
staff report features discussion and response to public comment (Appendix E) directed to specific
major code amendments with support for a staff recommended option in Appendix A.
Notice of the application was provided on the following dates and in the following manner:
• December 19, 2023: Project launch on the City’s website and distributed to RSS feeds.
• December 19, 2023: Combined Planning Commission Public Hearing and SEPA Notice:
PDN, City Hall, and SEPA Register.
• January 9, 2023: 60-day Notice to WA Department of Commerce
The Planning Commission will conduct a review of the application, public comment including
testimony during the open record public hearing on January 24, 2024, and this staff report, and
provide a motion of recommendation to the City Council. On February 20, 2024, City Council will
conduct the first reading of the proposed ordinance. An appeal must be submitted within 14 days
of the notice of final decision.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment:
Staff has been collecting written and verbal public comment for this proposed code amendment
since the limited moratorium was approved by the City Council on June 6, 2023. The comment
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P&Z Application No. 23-80| City-wide Municipal Code Changes
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period for the SEPA Checklist was 14 days in duration and closed on January 4, 2024. In addition
to the SEPA comment period, public input and comments were received by 70 community
members at each of two listening posts at the Port Angeles Winter Ice Village and Farmers Market
in December and January of 2023-24, a January workshop attended by approximately 50 members
of the community, and a digital community survey in which there were 1,040 responses (Appendix
D).
The Public Comment Matrix (Appendix E) enumerates the body of public comment received during
the public comment period and hearing with both written and verbal testimony. The document
includes staff responses. Appendix F contains all written comment as provided to staff.
Generally, comment prior to the notice of municipal code amendment proposal focused on the
June 6th limited moratorium and existing nonconforming short-term rental uses, clarifications on
short-term rental uses and requirements, and requests to enforce existing municipal code
standards related to short-term rentals and violations of zoning.
Those in favor of short-term rental uses generally cite lodging and sales tax contributions to the
community, job creation and property improvements, and a loss of critical income if the existing
code were to be successfully enforced and nonconforming short-term rental uses discontinued.
Those against nonconforming short-term rentals generally cited a loss of neighbors in
neighborhoods, personal hardship due to loss of available housing stock, and requested current
code be enforced.
City of Port Angeles Departmental Comments:
Comments received from City of Port Angeles Departments have been incorporated into this
report’s findings.
IV. FINDINGS OF FACT & STAFF ANALYSIS
Analysis and findings of fact from Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
staff are based on the application materials, Port Angeles Municipal Code (PAMC), standards,
plans, public comment, and other relevant materials available during the review period. The
findings and analysis section this report is a summary of the completed review by DCED staff.
City of Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan
All Municipal Code Amendment applications must be consistent with the Port Angeles
Comprehensive Plan. The following Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan policies are identified by
Planning Staff to support the proposal in Municipal Code Amendment Application No. 23-80:
Growth Management Element
Goal 2A To manage growth in a responsible manner that is beneficial to the community as
a whole, is sensitive to the rights and needs of individuals, and is consistent with the State of
Washington's Growth Management Act.
Policy 2A.01 In all its actions and to the extent consistent with the provisions of this
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comprehensive plan, the City will strive to implement the following goals of the State Growth
Management Act:
d) Housing. Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments
of the population. Promote a variety of residential densities and housing types and sizes,
and encourage preservation and expansion of existing housing stock.
e) Economic development. Encourage economic development throughout the region
that is consistent with adopted comprehensive plans, promote economic opportunity,
especially for unemployed and for disadvantaged persons, and encourage growth in areas
experiencing insufficient economic growth, all within the capacities of the region's natural
resources, public services and public facilities.
f) Property rights. Private property should not be taken for public use without just
compensation having been made. The property rights of landowners should be protected
from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.
Land Use Element
Goal 3H To create and maintain a healthy and diverse commercial sector for a balanced and
stable local economy.
Policy 3H.01 Encourage the recruitment of new and the retention of existing commercial
developments and businesses
Housing Element
Goal 6A To improve the variety, quality, availability, and attainability of housing
opportunities in the City of Port Angeles.
Policy 6A.11 Provide an appropriate balance between attainable market-rate housing and
affordable housing and ensure that affordable housing is provided in a way that contributes to the
physical appearance and economic and social health of the neighborhoods and the City.
Policy 6A.14 Allow for mixed-use opportunities in neighborhoods, including commercial
development and mix of housing densities.
Goal 6C To use the 2019 Housing Action Plan as a guide and implementation tool for future
City actions in support of providing available State supported financing options, municipal code
revisions that promote innovative housing products and designs, incentive zoning, and
renovation/rehabilitation of existing of the City’s housing stock.
Policy 6C.03 Promote housing renovation and rehabilitation.
Economic Development
Goal 9A To create and maintain a balanced and stable local economy with full employment
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and emphasis on strengthening the community's traditional natural resource related industries as
well as diversifying the overall economic base.
Policy 9A.03 Promote the diversification of the community's economic base by encouraging the
location, retention, and expansion of local small and medium sized businesses.
Goal 9B To have a healthy local economy that co-exists with the community's high quality
of life through the protection, enhancement, and use of the community's natural, historical, and
cultural amenities.
Policy 9B.05 Encourage the availability of housing that meets the needs of the entire spectrum
of the community's residents.
Goal 9C To create and promote a strong tourism industry for Port Angeles, as well as to
recognize and support existing and prospective tourism attractions.
Staff Analysis: The Comprehensive Plan supports a balanced approach to the regulation of short-
term lodging. Providing the means for a homeowner to determine whether to utilize a housing unit
as a short-term, long-term, or owner-occupied residence is currently regulated by location only.
The Comprehensive Plan supports the development of small businesses and tourism-related
ventures while also acknowledging support for a diversity of housing options to be available to
existing and potential Port Angeles residents.
The proposed municipal code amendments and regulatory alternatives generally support owner-
occupied units over whole house short-term rentals and the number of potential licensed new
short-term rental units varies from an unlimited number of licensed units, limitations on new short-
term rentals in specific zones from a maximum number, or not allowing the new licenses. In all but
the unlimited option, short-term rentals are favored in commercial, medium density residential and
high-density residential zones over R11, Residential Low Density, R9, Residential Low Density, and
R7, Residential Mixed Density zones.
A non-conforming section of the proposed code allows short-term rentals that have been in
continuous operation for a minimum of three years to apply for a license outside the requirements
for new operations. Any short-term rentals not operating for a minimum of three years will not be
considered under the non-conforming section and are required to apply for a license, where
applicable. If the alternative has a maximum number of licenses in the zone that operation will be
considered in violation of the proposed code without a license. In alternatives where new licenses
are not available, all short-term rentals not non-conforming will be in violation of the proposed
code. In no alternative is a short-term rental allowed in an industrial or the PBP, Public Buildings
and Parks zone.
Appendix G includes maps of current zones where short-term rentals are listed as an allowed or
conditional use in specific zone and where they are currently not listed in a zone as an allowed or
conditional use under Title 17 PAMC.
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P&Z Application No. 23-80| City-wide Municipal Code Changes
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Summary and Explanation of Port Angeles Municipal Code Changes to Title 17
Appendix B to this staff report includes all proposed code changes. Below is a synopsis of those
changes by individual sections.
Chapter 17.18 Bed and Breakfasts
This chapter is being repealed in order to replace existing bed and breakfast regulations with a
new chapter (17.24 Bed and Breakfast) that will change the regulatory process from the current
conditional use permitting process in favor of a streamlined licensing program similar to short-
term rentals.
Chapter 17.23 Short-term Rentals and Chapter 17.24 Bed and Breakfast
Both of the proposed new chapters of code share identical code sections, but the regulations may
have differences due to accommodation type, state requirements, and impact to the surrounding
neighborhood and housing availability. Any differences in the two chapters are noted at the end
of each section’s synopsis.
17.23/24.010 Purpose.
This is a new chapter of municipal code created in order to establish regulations for the operation
of short-term rentals within the City of Port Angeles and establishes a short-term lodging license
permit program for each chapter, platform-based enforcement provisions, and building safety
inspection requirements for all short-term rentals and bed and breakfast operations.
17. 23/24.020 Definitions.
Proposed definitions in this section are specific to short-term rental and bed and breakfast uses.
All other definitions in Chapter 17.08 PAMC are still applicable.
17. 23/24.030 Applicability.
This section defines when and where these chapters supersede other sections of the Port Angeles
Municipal Code and authorize the Director of Community and Economic Development to
implement, interpret, enforce, and make clarifying determinations.
17. 23/24.040 Short-Term Rental Platform License.
The code directs short-term rental platforms to require compliance from the short-term rental
owners listing on the platform.
17. 23/24.050 Short-Term Rental Fire Life-Safety Inspections.
Fire life safety inspections are proposed on an annual basis in order to ensure all fire and building
code requirements for short-term rental uses are met and maintained.
17. 23/24.060 Zoning, Allowance, and Use Requirements:
Short-term rental licenses will be allowed based upon the location of the proposal. Current
allowance is based upon the City’s zoning use charts; short-term rentals are either listed as an
allowed or conditional use in a certain zone, or not listed, thereby not being permitted by their
exclusion. Staff has proposed a new methodology allowing several alternatives where a specific
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number of licensed short-term rentals may be allowed in a specific zone. These alternatives
provide five scenarios that weigh the number of potential short-term rentals with existing number
of single-household and duplex residences in the zone that may be available form permanent
housing or long-term rentals. There are also circumstances where short-term rentals have no
limitation in a zone or are prohibited from operating in a zone. The Short-term Lodging Summary
document (Appendix A) summarizes the alternative. The draft municipal code (Appendix B)
provides a detailed table for each alternative.
There are no alternatives or licensing caps by location proposed for bed and breakfast licenses.
Bed and breakfast are permitted if licensed in all but Industrial and PBP, Public Buildings and Parks
zones.
17. 23/24.070 Standards.
Proposed standards allow the short-term rental proposal to be evaluated for compliance through
a licensing program by City staff. Submittal of a license application will require that each proposed
short-term rental meet these standards.
Bed and breakfast standards differ from short-term rental standards through off-street parking
requirements and the allowance of limited events at the licensed location.
17.23.080 Nonconforming Short-Term Rentals.
Non-conforming short-term rentals demonstrating operation for the last three consecutive years
are not considered new and may apply for a license to operate a short-term if all applicable
standards and requirements are approved in the license application. These licenses may be
approved without compliance with Section 17.23.060 PAMC.
This section is reserved for bed and breakfast licenses. There are no proposed allowances for
nonconforming bed and breakfasts.
17.23/24.090 Good Neighbor Policy.
Good neighbor policies are a standard practice of jurisdictions regulating short-term lodging in
Washington State. These proposed policies are in place to ensure surrounding long-term residents
and short-term guests are aware of all rules, restrictions, and conditions imposed on short-term
lodging and that a contact for complaints is identified.
17.23/24.100-130 Short-Term Rental Licensing Requirements and Application Procedures
These four sections of the proposed chapter provide the requirements for a license application,
the application review procedures, the approval process, and license term.
Review procedures for capacity in zoning districts are not proposed for bed and breakfasts.
17.23/24.140-190 Enforcement, Violations, and Appeal Procedures
These six sections of the proposed chapter provide unique code enforcement procedures for
violations related specifically to the chapter. This includes violation type, review procedures,
penalties, the license limitations, appeal rights, and the limits of the authority to deny, revoke, or
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refuse to renew a short-term rental license.
Environmental Review
This project was reviewed under the Washington State SEPA threshold determination rules
requirements and procedures. A Determination of Non-significance (DNS) was adopted on
December 19, 2023, for this action. In accordance with WAC 197-11-340 a 14-day appeal period
began on the date of the determination and ended on January 4, 2024. The SEPA checklist and
environmental documents are on file at the City of Port Angeles Department of Community and
Economic Development Planning Division and are available upon request.
Consistency
In preparation and submission of a Municipal Code Amendment, City Staff has demonstrated that
all standards and requirement are met in accordance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the
Port Angeles Municipal Code.
VII. RECOMMENDATION
It is the recommendation of Department of Community and Economic Development Staff that the
Planning Commission concur with staff’s recommendation to the City Council to approve
Municipal Code Amendment No. 23-80. This recommendation is based on the staff report, 2023
Comprehensive Plan, and submitted public comments.
The recommended specific motions are:
1. Provide general motion recommending City Council approve Municipal Code
Amendment No. 23-80 with a preferred alternative Zoning, Allowance, and Use
Requirements table (17.23.060-1) for Chapter 17.23 – Short-term Rentals.
2. Provide a motion to recommend approval or denial of the inclusion of non-conforming
language in Section 17.23.080 of the proposed short-term rental code.
VIII. APPENDICES
Appendix A: Short-term Lodging Municipal Code Amendment Summary
Appendix B: Title 17 Municipal Code Amendments
Appendix C: Short Term Rental Inventory Report
Appendix D: Workshop and Survey Summary
Appendix E: Public Comment Matrix
Appendix F: Individual Public Comments
Appendix G: Zoning Maps
January 24, 2024 Planning Commission Agenda Packet Page 17 of 17