What can be done to reasonably limit the growing number of vacation rentals in the San Juans? This question was posed to approximately 160 people who attended the second Community Conversation on vacation rentals held
on September 25th. In answer to concerns expressed at the first Community Conversation on July 17 th Erika Shook, San Juan County Director of Community Development presented existing County regulations for vacation rentals. Four additional speakers summarized short term rental impacts on housing, water consumption, septic systems, ferry use, emergency medical care and local businesses and what other communities across the nation are doing to control vacation rentals.
When is tourism too much tourism? This was another question asked as it relates to vacation rental contributions to visitor loads. Overtourism is being protested in heavily impacted areas worldwide. The question is how to limit vacation rentals and resulting over-tourism in the San Juan Islands. Those attending were asked to express their concerns about vacation rentals and what kinds of controls they would like to see enacted if any. A set of goals and possible regulations that were developed from the first Community Conversation were presented and individuals were asked to vote on their preferences. Items that received the most votes included: Place a moratorium on new vacation rental permits until new regulations are adopted(147), Support housing for
year-round residents (81), Allow new vacation rental permits only for parcels that are owner-occupied (78), Prohibit future permits from passing to new owners on sale of the parcel (73), and Slowing the rate of growth and commercialization of the islands (71). Votes on other goals considered important and possible regulations were recorded and will be tabulated and included in the vacation rental website, vacationrentalsorcas.org.
On Oct. 23 a Community Conversation will be held to discuss specific vacation rental controls that could be enacted.
We hope you will attend!
The Vacation Rental Work Group
