Short-term rentals in guest houses banned in Summit County

Photo: Inhabit Park City

Over 20% of all housing units in Summit County are short-term rental properties

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – The Summit County Council voted last week to come in accordance with state law regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), voting to ban short-term rentals in ADUs by establishing a minimum rental period of 30 days.

ADUs are defined as additional guest homes or apartments in single family homes.

Utah policymakers and County officials initially envisioned ADUs being used to help curb housing shortages in Summit County and help provide affordable homes for seasonal workers, yet many ADUs within Summit County have transitioned into short-term or nightly rentals on sites such as Airbnb or Vrbo.

In response, the state Legislature enacted the County Land Use, Development, and Management Act which established the minimum of a 30-day rental period in all ADUs across the state.

The County Council passed the short-term rental ban 4-1 on Nov. 8.

In a 2021 study conducted by the University of Utah, over 20% of all housing units in Summit County are short-term rental properties.

In Park City, nearly 50% of housing units are short-term rentals, with over 3,900 online listings for short-term rental properties.

In addition, a county panel is working on more holistic short-term rental ordinances that will cover all residential dwellings in Summit County, including houses, apartments, and condos.