Commissioners began a promised discussion on regulating short-term rentals in Gilmer County.
Discussions took place at the board’s work and regular sessions July 12 and 13.
“It is the party houses we want to eliminate,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
Gilmer County resident Wayne Johnson has been asking during a citizen comment period for commissioners to undertake some sort of action for months.
Johnson said 13 short-term rental properties are within the sound of his voice when he steps into his yard. He said he has problems with noise, gunfire and trespassing from the guests.
Commissioners discussed proposed and enacted ordinances from surrounding counties.
Paris said there was not much in them which would address the main problems Gilmer is experiencing.
Caitlin Neal, representing the Gilmer County Chamber, said the organization held a discussion about short-term rentals. She said most rental owners are in favor of “reasonable, thought-out actions” to prevent overreactions.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, who was attending the meeting on another matter was asked about his department’s dealings with short-term renters.
Nicholson said he had not been tracking data on calls, but his sense was it was not a major problem.
“I don’t feel like we are being overrun,” he said. “I don’t think it is a huge problem.”
Calls deputies are dealing with tend toward noise and overoccupancy of the rentals. Nicholson said many of the calls originate from the rental owners.
He did suggest the rental property owners installing door cameras on their properties. It was what gave his department a break involving a murder investigation.
Gilmer County Planning and Zoning Director Jim Smith estimated Gilmer County has 2,500 or more short-term rental properties.
“It is an issue we need to get a handle on,” he said.
Some solutions proposed for study involved a business license for short-term rental properties. This would allow the county to get a sense of how many properties are in the county.
It would also provide for a means of dealing with repeat offenders with noise and overoccupancy.
Gilmer County Attorney David Clark said the county could develop a four tier system where short-term rental property owners would receive a warning for the first violation of noise or occupancy issues, and for the fourth, the license would be suspended for a year.
An occupancy limit of two people per bedroom in the rental, plus two more overall, was also put forth. A three-bedroom rental would then be allowed a maximum of eight guests.
Clark said the county might have to hire someone dedicated to short-term rentals if they require inspections of the properties.
Blake Cody owns rental cabins in the area. He told the board the regulation discussion made him nervous, especially any discussion about raising costs for the rental owners.
When he heard the board’s ideas for dealing with noise and overoccupancy, he said he would generally support things that contributed to the greater good.
Commissioners will continue discussions next month and look at possible actions.