Some members of the Pullman Planning Commission are raising concerns about the restricted scope of their review regarding the newly established regulations on Short Term Rentals (STRs).

Recently, the Pullman City Council decided to return the proposed STR rules to the Planning Commission and staff for further review. In May, the Council had approved a comprehensive update to the city’s zoning code that introduced new regulations for STRs such as Airbnb and Vrbo, which took effect in June. These new regulations entail fees, a permit requirement, inspections, safety measures, and mandates for online advertising. Over the summer, city staff communicated with 60 operators who were not compliant, warning them of potential fines amounting to $250 per day starting January 1st should they fail to adhere to these new regulations.

The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended that the City Council approve the updated zoning code and the regulations for STRs. However, following the vote, some commissioners expressed feelings of pressure to endorse the STR code. Various concerns prompted the City Council to send the matter back to the Planning Commission for additional consideration. Councilman Eric Fejeran, who supported the new STR regulations, proposed a motion that included ten specific areas for the commissioners and staff to review. During the October meeting, Mayor Francis Benjamin noted that some topics would be handled administratively by city staff, asserting that matters of enforcement do not fall under the purview of the Planning Commission.

On a recent Wednesday night, the Planning Commission convened a special session to delve into STRs, focusing solely on the definition of Short Term Rentals. City Planner RJ Lott informed the commissioners that the remaining nine topics outlined by the Council would be addressed by city staff. Lott indicated that both the mayor and city administrator requested that the Commission limit their review to the definition of STRs.

Two planning commissioners expressed dissent regarding this narrow scope of review, contending that it did not reflect the original intent of the City Council. The Planning Commission was not able to thoroughly examine the definition of STRs during the meeting due to insufficient information provided by staff. At the next meeting, staff is expected to present the state definition of STRs, examples from similarly-sized cities in Washington, and offer an opportunity for public comment, which had not been permitted at the previous meeting.

Notably, senior Councilmembers Nathan Weller and Pat Wright voted against the new STR restrictions in May. The regulations, which have been in place since June, will remain enforced while the code is re-evaluated. The City Council aims to receive recommendations from the Planning Commission by the end of March.