Short-Term Rental Policy Workgroup

Project Overview

The Town of Buena Vista is forming a Short-Term Rental (STR) Licensing Policy Workgroup to review current STR licensing regulations and recommend potential updates to Town policy.

This advisory group will bring together a range of community perspectives to evaluate how STRs affect housing availability, neighborhood character, and the local economy. The goal is to ensure that any future policy decisions are informed by lived experience, community values, and adopted Town plans.

No policy or technical expertise is required! Your perspective as a resident is what matters. Whether you rent, own, operate a business, manage property, or simply care about your neighborhood, your voice has a place in this conversation.

Recommendations developed by the Workgroup will be provided to Town staff and the Board of Trustees for consideration as part of future STR policy decisions.

To put your name in the hat to be part of the group, please complete the survey at the bottom of this page or click here to access it directly.

The deadline to apply is February 28, 2026.

This group is advisory in nature and does not make final policy decisions.

Purpose of the Workgroup

The STR Policy Workgroup will:

Review existing STR regulations and definitions
Examine impacts to long-term rental housing and neighborhood compatibility
Consider how STRs fit within adopted land use and housing goals
Identify policy tradeoffs and options
Provide non-binding recommendations to Town staff and the Board of Trustees
Support transparent, community-informed policy development

Building on Other Adopted Town Plans

This project also supports guidance from:

Buena Vista Comprehensive Plan (2025)
Economic Development Master Plan (2017)
Downtown Area Plan (2013)
Transportation Master Plan (2004; update underway)
Land Use Code & Zoning Regulations (as amended)
Housing Needs Assessment (2022)

Together, these plans emphasize balancing housing availability, tourism activity, infrastructure capacity, and neighborhood livability.

Representation Categories

Applicants may apply to represent one of the following perspectives:

2 Board of Trustees Members
Planning & Zoning Commission (PNZ) Member
Long Term Renter and/or Landlord
Community Member at Large
Real Estate Agent and/or STR Owner or Manager
Business Owner or Manager (Business is in BV)

Applicants will be asked to indicate the category that best represents them and briefly explain their selection.

Applicants must have been a primary resident of the Town of Buena Vista for at least the past 12 consecutive months and be willing and able to attend a minimum of four meetings. Meetings may be scheduled during business hours or in the evening, with dates and times to be determined once committee members are selected.

How to Participate

Interested community members may submit their name for consideration by completing the form below.

The Town will:

Collect all submissions
Sort applicants by representation category
Randomly select participants within each category (spreadsheet randomizer or drawing)
Announce selected members publicly

This approach supports fairness, transparency, and balanced representation.

Anticipated Timeline

Recruitment: Applications close February 28
Workgroup Meetings: [It is anticipated that there will be at least four meetings. The timing depends on the group.
Draft Recommendations: To be determined
Presentation to Trustees: To be determined

What Happens Next

Workgroup input will be compiled into a summary report and presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration as part of any future STR policy updates.

2025 Buena Vista Comprehensive Plan Alignment:

The Short-Term Rental (STR) Policy Workgroup advances the adopted direction of the 2025 Buena Vista Comprehensive Plan by examining how STR regulations affect housing, land use, and the local economy. STRs sit at the intersection of residential neighborhoods and the visitor economy, and the workgroup is evaluating whether current rules appropriately balance economic activity with long-term residential stability. This effort supports Comprehensive Plan goals to use regulatory tools to enable desired business and mixed-use activity while also removing barriers to affordable, attainable, and workforce housing.

The workgroup’s review considers how STR definitions relate to long-term rentals, accessory dwelling units, and deed-restricted or affordable housing objectives. It also evaluates STRs as a land use within residential and mixed-use areas, ensuring regulations align with the Future Land Use Map and neighborhood vision for compatibility, intensity, and appropriate location.

Guided by the Town’s Implementation Framework, the STR Policy Workgroup is structured as a representative advisory body that engages residents and stakeholders, coordinates with other adopted Town plans, and develops transparent, documented recommendations for the Board of Trustees. This ensures any proposed STR policy updates are grounded in community input and adopted policy direction rather than isolated regulatory changes.

Economy & Housing (EH)

EH Big Idea #4: Use appropriate regulatory tools to encourage economic vitality

Relevant Actions:
• EH Action 4B: Enable desired business types and mixed-use projects
• EH Action 4C: Continue to allow home occupations and shared office uses

EH Big Idea #7: Remove barriers to affordable, attainable, and workforce housing development

Relevant Actions:
• EH Action 7B: Define long-term rentals
• EH Action 7C: Evaluate accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policies
• EH Action 7D: Define affordable housing and establish eligibility criteria

Land Use & Community Character (LUCC)

LUCC Big Idea #1: Implement the Future Land Use Map and associated land use vision

Relevant Actions:
• LUCC Action 1A: Use Future Land Use categories to guide rezoning and development decisions
• LUCC Action 1B: Align new development with the desired vision associated with the Future Land Use Map
• LUCC Action 1C: Prioritize infill and redevelopment in existing service areas