County approves rental rules
Staff writer
Marion County commissioners Monday added new language to county zoning rules defining what qualifies as an owner-occupied short-term rental before approving revised regulations governing the properties.
The definition, added during discussion of the proposal, states that owner-occupied means the owner lives on the property at least 180 days during the calendar year.
Commissioners also clarified where short-term rentals may operate. The adopted language states that a rental unit must be located within the primary residential dwelling on the property and may not be located in an accessory building unless the main dwelling is owner-occupied.
During the meeting, commissioners noticed the definition had been placed in existing code language rather than in the proposed amendment and directed staff to move it before voting.
The issue has been debated for several months after residents in parts of rural Marion County raised concerns about short-term rentals operating in their neighborhoods. County officials have been working to clarify zoning rules governing the properties while balancing property rights and neighborhood concerns.
In other business, commissioners approved a temporary moratorium on development of data centers in unincorporated areas of the county.
The moratorium, approved will remain in effect until June 1 while planning officials study possible zoning regulations for such facilities.
The pause will give officials time to review how other jurisdictions regulate data centers, county counselor Brad Jantz said, and determine what approach may be appropriate locally.
Commissioners also approved allowing installation of a low-water crossing in the Doyle Creek watershed and authorized $3,000 to seal seams on the health department roof to address leakage.