One of the reasons I ran for and was re-elected to Gig Harbor City Council is that I believe the people of the city should have more of a say in what happens to their neighborhood than the people who do not live in your neighborhood.
On Thursday, January 19 at 3 p.m., Gig Harbor City Council will hold a study session to discuss whether to allow short-term rentals in our residential neighborhoods 365 days a year. Public comments are not allowed during these sessions. A short-term rental is a living space that is rented for less than 30 consecutive days (via Vrbo, Airbnb, etc.).
The current draft ordinance (https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1446?fileID=2318) will allow investors and businesses to bid on and buy homes in every neighborhood, all over Gig Harbor and turn those homes into short-term rentals 365 days a year, with one requirement: someone must live in the home for 183 non-consecutive days during the year. This 183-day settlement is not enforceable because there is no way to know who is in which house on which day.
My concern is that the residents of Gig Harbor are unaware of this meeting and the proposed ordinance. City of Gig Harbor residents, please research the pros and cons of having short term rentals in the neighborhoods. It is important that you read and search for yourself. Are these impacts something you want or don’t want in your neighborhood?
The overwhelming support for short-term rentals comes from investors who don’t live within the city limits of Gig Harbor. On July 26, a petition was submitted to council in favor of short-term rentals. Searching for signature names on Google shows that most of these investors do not live in Gig Harbor. The city proposed various compromises and settlements. On September 16, 2022, the council received an email from investors regarding other cities that have been sued for their attempts to put regulations in place.
Nobody wants to be prosecuted. The study session discussion will focus on whether to allow short-term rentals in your neighborhood 365 days a year with unenforceable regulations, or just say no to short-term rentals in residential areas of Gig Harbor .
People want to make money. Short-term rental businesses may be permitted in commercial areas of Gig Harbor, and residents living in their homes will still be permitted to rent rooms and operate a bed and breakfast.
As a member of the municipal council, and before making a decision on this subject, I want to hear from you. Please take a few moments to tell me if:
· Yes, you want short term rental businesses, 365 days a year in our residential neighborhoods.
· No, you do not want short-term rental businesses in our residential neighborhoods.
· You want short-term rentals to be allowed only in commercial areas.
Please send your comments to: [email protected].
Note: It is very important to include your residential address as these rules will only affect neighborhoods within the city limits.
Thanks. It is an honor to serve you.
Jeni Woock
Gig Harbor Town Council
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