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Read the article at the Flathead Beacon by Tristan Scott
Excerpt:
“With the session over, Smith said city staff found that one measure did just that, and has already led to litigation challenging the city’s ability to regulate short-term rentals.
Specifically, Senate Bill 262 restricted local municipalities with self-governing powers, including Whitefish, from requiring short-term rental property owners to obtain a business license. However, Smith says Whitefish identified a way to make the licensing program compliant with the new law. By amending the city’s business-licensing rules to include a business-registration program for short-term rental property owners — an amendment council unanimously approved Monday night and which is slated for final approval next month — the city can remain in compliance with the law while still tracking short-term rentals. The amendment also requires some professional license holders, such as contractors, to carry liability insurance up to $300,000.
“With the proposed change to a business registration program to promote public safety and assist with enforcement of regulations and ordinances, proceeding with hiring the position is now possible,” according to Smith. She added that, on Dec. 4, staff will also recommend the city council keep fees for the business registration program similar to the current business licensing fees “since they are based on the cost of service to provide public safety measures and other program management.””