RAPID CITY, SD — At a meeting this Monday, the Rapid City Council voted to approve new ordinance which would regulate rental properties within the city in a 9-2 vote.
Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Maher emphasized the importance of this measure, which would add parking requirements to short-term vacation homes, and require a conditional use permit for residences with more than five bedrooms, saying “The reason I support this is because of public safety,” Following that 95% of short-term residences in the city are not licensed by the state, and thus are not taxed similarly to a hotel and are not inspected to ensure the safety of a given residence. Councilor Rod Pettigrew supported Maher, saying “A lot of them aren’t collecting the same taxes hotels collect and I think that’s probably not fair”.
However residents appeared somewhat torn on the issue, with Hayley Freed, a self-described lifelong resident of the city, who said “While there are property owners who are responsible and caring, there are as many who are borderline slumlords who have no business owning affordable properties,” following “More government regulation rarely feels right to me, but it’s clear that neighborhoods are becoming disconnected and lacking community due to these rentals becoming more common and not being regulated,” ultimately affirming her support for the ordinance.
Councilors Lehman and Tamang were the only votes against.
