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Orr council pursues short-term rental rules
City officials will host a public forum on June 10
ORR - A public forum on Monday, June 10 here will be the first step toward the city council enacting regulations on short-term rental properties in the city.
At their regular meeting on Monday, …
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Orr council pursues short-term rental rules
City officials will host a public forum on June 10
ORR - A public forum on Monday, June 10 here will be the first step toward the city council enacting regulations on short-term rental properties in the city.
At their regular meeting on Monday, city councilors here indicated they wanted to move forward on a possible ordinance after an earlier forum and ongoing research by City Clerk Cheri Carter on the proposal.
The city plans to have the ordinance in effect in July after the required public hearing and two readings by the council.
The ordinance is being modeled after a similar one adopted by the Two Harbors City Council earlier this spring that will establish rules governing the operations of the rental units.
Rentals will need to be hooked up to city water and sewer lines along with being permanent structures. RVs or any other type of mobile units will not be allowed.
The city’s lodging tax will also have to be collected on rents. Mayor Joel Astleford said he would be willing to consider a no-cost permit for rentals for those operators who agree to collect the lodging tax.
The June 10 public hearing will be at 5 p.m., directly preceding the regularly-scheduled council meeting that will follow immediately afterward.
If passed, Orr will be the third city in the Arrowhead to enact regulations on short-term rental properties following similar measures by Duluth and Two Harbors. The properties have become a popular money-making venture by many homeowners using websites such as Airbnb or VRBO.
In other city business, councilors:
Approved a new outdoor liquor store sign to be in place before Memorial Day.
Heard from Carter that the docks on Pelican Lake would be repaired this summer. Carter said it is the state’s job to pay for the repairs per a 1980s agreement with the city.
Approved a new LED security light to be installed at the community center.
Voted to remove the deep fryers from the community center and any other electrical cooking equipment not utilizing gas.
Asked Carter to seek out bids on replacing the roof at the welcome center that houses city hall.
