Start date for the Gilmer County short-term rental ordinance has moved from April 1 to July 1.
The change was made at a special called meeting of the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners. The vote was 2-0 with Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson absent.
Moving the date followed several complaints from short-term rental owners and people from companies who manage short-term rentals.
Nicole Tinker of Blue Sky Cabin Rentals of Ellijay was first to speak. She said she was working to get their owners in compliance with the ordinance.
“When we originally looked over the ordinance, we found it very doable and reasonable, and we were ready to take action,” she said.
She said the process took a turn when she approached Director of Planning and Zoning Jim Smith, and he delivered requirements which were not listed in the ordinance.
Tinker said Smith told her a licensed home inspector, an engineer or an architect could perform the safety inspection required by the county ordinance and gave her a list of acceptable candidates.
The county ordinance requires a qualified professional, and the state of Georgia does not have a standard license for a home inspector, she said.
Tinker said Smith also said a parking plan was required for the license application as well, though the ordinance only requires parking to be kept out of the right of way.
“We immediately contacted over 100 homeowners of Gilmer County, shared the inspection checklist and a copy of the ordinance,” she said. “After reviewing everything and taking some time, we understood there was an issue.”
Tinker said she and the owner of her company met with Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris and found out he did not know about these requirements.
“We feel so misled by planning and zoning,” she said. “We were ready to get started, follow the ordinance to a T. We do it all the time.
“However though, I do not understand how we are expected to follow an ordinance when misinformation is being given out by other departments of this county.”
Many other questions and complaints about the process followed, including what constituted a qualified inspector and why some requirements were on the website license application, which were not covered by the ordinance.
Paris said when in doubt, the ordinance was the final answer. If it was not required by the ordinance, then it is not required for the license.
As for an inspector, Paris said in his opinion an inspector who has received some sort of certification or a business license would meet the requirements.
He said the county would get with GovOS, the agency hired to help with the rollout of the ordinance, and fix the requirements for license to match the ordinance.
To ensure everyone had time to accomplish the tasks, the deadline for implementation was pushed back.