Breckenridge to set cap on short-term rental licenses

 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that there are 1,469 short-term rental properties that are exempt from town administrative fees and would not be included in the proposed short-term rental license cap, meaning there are 2,476 nonexempt properties that would be subject to the cap of 2,200.

Breckenridge Town Council held a community discussion about capping short-term rentals at its work session on Tuesday, Aug. 24. After hearing from dozens of local residents, the council directed town staff to draft legislation capping short-term rental licenses at 2,200.

The discussion garnered a virtual audience of almost 150 people, and the council chambers were filled with folks ready to comment. Most attendees were in support of capping short-term rentals with few asking for alternate solutions. There was also a group of people standing outside Breckenridge Town Hall prior to the discussion with various signs asking the town to cap licenses.

Council was also in consensus that once an owner sells their home, the short-term rental license would not transfer to the new owner.

Town staff will draft an ordinance for first reading at the next council meeting on Sept. 14 and a second reading on Sept. 28. Should the legislation pass second reading, it will take effect 35 days after the council vote — Nov. 2. Folks will still be able to apply for short-term rental licenses prior to the legislation taking effect, and town staff said they expect a rush of applications to come in.