The Board in December and January began to tackle the issue of Short-term rentals in established residental neighborhoods. Residents who have a short-term rental property near their homes have reported noise, and cars and sometimes party-busses blocking the roadway making it impossible[ for emergency vehicles to pass. Moreover, the residents who made public comment at our meetings expressed a general discomfort having strangers in their neighborhood, not new neighbors but rather transiant strangers.
The Development Committee asked staff to research what we can and cannot do to help. At the January meeting we passed an ordinance that will require owners who wish to rent their property for a term of less than 30 days to obtain a license. State law limits us to $200 a year for this license, To get the license the home would need adequate smoke and CO2 detectors, Enough paved parking spaces, not street spaces for all guests. The occupancy of the rental would be maxed at 2 persons times the number of bedrooms in the home, and in no case more than 14. They would need to comply with the new noise limitations for daytime and overnight. This ordinance only applies to short-term rentals in unincorporated Kane County. The cities and villages may have different rules or no rules.
Hopefully this will eliminate the big parties at these short-term rental homes. That is a large part of the nusiance expressed. The Board is aware than one county has outright disallowed short-term rentals, but this will likely be challenged in the courts, and we will watch that case. Bot h the Building Code Enforcement staff in Kane County’s Development Department and the Sheriff’s office will be responsible to responding to violations of the new rules.
The input from residents resulted in this new licensing with the new restrictions. Citizens made public comment and gave written testimony. This County Board tries to be responsive to the legitimate concerns of our county. The Ordinance may not solve the issue, and we will continue to monitor and welcome hearting the experiences of neighbors.
Author: Michael
Current Kane County Board Member representing members is parts of Saint Charles, Geneva and Campton townships, and announced candidate for reelection to that office.
