Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE NO on S1162 - Short-term rental regulations (posted 03/13/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators (linked below):

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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S1162 limits how local governments can regulate short-term rentals (STRs) with a goal of protecting private property rights. It’s similar to S1163. (Yes, we know Idaho law 67-6539 does allow STRs.)

Key provisions:

• Classifies STRs as non-transient residential uses.

• Counties and cities cannot enact ordinances that effectively ban STRs.

• Local governments cannot impose "different restrictions or obligations", including mandatory owner occupation, additional insurance, special inspections, or limits on rental days.

• Local governments cannot implement health and safety regulations that differ from regulations applied to single-family homes.

• Introduces a standardized business licensing process for short-term rentals, capping the annual license fee at $50.

• Establishes guidelines for license revocation.

• Requires STR owners to disclose specific safety features to prospective tenants, such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency exits.

While we generally agree that individual property rights are essential, one also must consider other property owners, especially in established communities. In other words, your right to do what you want with your property should not negatively affect nearby property owners. STRs do affect others nearby.

1. STRs often negatively impact neighborhoods and full-time residents who also should have the constitutional rights to enjoy properties they paid for and are being taxed on.

2. Short-term renters often disrupt the peace of a community. With no personal or financial investment in the community (beyond their short-term rental charge), short-term renters are more likely to drive fast through neighborhoods, litter, party, break subdivision or HOA rules, and otherwise disturb the peace and tranquility of existing neighborhoods.

3. Owners who rent to short-term renters must be responsible for behavior of their temporary tenants, just as they would be responsible for their own behavior.

4. People who bought property before STRs sprouted could face diminishing property values as their neighborhood transitions from stable owner-occupied residences to tourism.

5. Local (city/county) P&Z commissions should have authority to determine how properties are used within their jurisdiction. Local P&Z enables prospective buyers and sellers to know what types of uses are appropriate and to buy or sell accordingly.

6. S1162 seems more like a tax and fee grab than a way to protect private property ownership rights.