I’m concerned Gig Harbor residents aren’t aware of proposed Airbnb-style rental ordinance

One reason I ran and was re-elected to our Gig Harbor City Council is that I believe that city residents should have more say in what happens to their neighborhood than folks who do not live in your neighborhood.

On Thursday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. the Gig Harbor City Council will have a study session to discuss whether to allow short-term rentals in our residentially zoned neighborhoods 365 days a year. Public comment is not allowed at these sessions. A short-term rental is a living space that’s rented for less than 30 consecutive days (via Vrbo, Airbnb, etc).

The current proposed ordinance (https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1446?fileID=2318) will allow investors and corporations to bid on and purchase houses in every neighborhood, throughout Gig Harbor and turn those houses into short-term rentals 365 days a year, with one requirement: Someone must live in the house for 183 non-consecutive days during the year. This 183-day regulation is not enforceable as there is no way to keep track of who is in which house on which day.

My concern is that Gig Harbor residents are not aware of this meeting and proposed ordinance. Gig Harbor city residents, please research the pros and cons of having short-term rentals in neighborhoods. It is important that you read and investigate for yourselves. Are these impacts something you do or do not want in your neighborhood?

The overwhelming support for short-term rentals is coming from investors who do not live within the city limits of Gig Harbor. On July 26 a petition was submitted to the council in support of short-term rentals. Googling signature names shows most of these investors do not live in Gig Harbor. The city has proposed various compromises and regulations. On Sept. 16, 2022 council received an email from investors regarding other cities that have been sued for their attempts to put regulations in place.

No one wants to be sued. The study session discussion will be about whether to allow short-term rentals in your neighborhood 365 days a year with an unenforceable regulation, or just saying no to short-term rentals in Gig Harbor’s residential neighborhoods.

People want to make money. Short-term rental businesses can be allowed in Gig Harbor commercial zones, and residents living in their homes will still be allowed to rent rooms and operate a bed and breakfast.

As a city council member, and before I make any decision on this, I want to hear from you. Please take a moment to let me know whether:

· Yes, you want short-term rental businesses, 365 days a year in our residentially zoned neighborhoods.

· No, you do not want short-term rental businesses in our residentially zoned neighborhoods.

· You want short-term rentals allowed only in commercially zoned areas.

Please send your comments to: mayorandcouncil@gigharborwa.gov.

Note: It is very important to include your residential address as these rules will affect neighborhoods within the city limits only.

Thank you. It is an honor to serve you.

Jeni Woock

Gig Harbor City Council

This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.