By Julie Johansen
Since the month of May, Castle Dale City has received three applications for short-term rental/lease business licenses. One of these is in a commercial zone while two are in residential zones.
The Land-Use Committee put together an ordinance for these businesses in the residential zones. With the help of zoning administrator Kerry Lake and Michael Bryant from the SEUALG office, the ordinance was completed and presented to the council last month.
A public hearing then opened the August council meeting for Castle Dale. Some comments from the public included concern about parking in their area as space is already limited for emergency vehicles.
Some of the items addressed in the ordinance include parking not being allowed on the streets, capacity outlined by the state fire code limited to 10 people and a business license requirement. Noise and nuisance concerns will be governed by the already established residential codes. These structures must be 300 feet apart from front door to front door and the owner must have a valid Utah tax number. Property owners that do not live in Castle Dale must have a representative who resides in the city. The ordinance was passed with a vote of four to one.
Castle Dale already has one short-term rental that will be grandfathered in as a license was issued prior to the ordinance adoption.