Pullman City Council is set to review proposed regulations for short-term rentals, an area that has garnered attention in recent months. The city’s planning commission has been working on these regulations since August 2023, incorporating feedback from numerous public hearings.

Currently, short-term rentals in Pullman require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the city’s hearing examiner, with only a limited number of legal rentals existing under this framework. The new proposal aims to establish a more structured system for regulating short-term rentals, allowing them in dwellings up to the size of a duplex.

Key elements of the proposal include the requirement of a business license, an approved emergency evacuation plan, lighted emergency exit signs, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Additionally, the draft sets occupancy limits and mandates an inspection by a city building official. To operate legally, short-term rentals must obtain an annual permit, and any advertisement for rentals must include this permit information.

During the upcoming city council meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 PM at city hall, council members will receive a presentation on these proposed regulations. They will have the opportunity to suggest amendments or decide to maintain the existing regulations.

This initiative is part of a broader update to Pullman’s zoning code, with a final decision on the proposed regulations expected on May 13th.