County seeks applicants for its new Short Term Rentals (STR) Advisory Group

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the newly established Short Term Rentals (STR) Advisory Group.

The 11-member group will provide guidance as the county implements its new requirements for short-term rentals. Beginning Jan. 1, anyone with a short-term rental (also known as an Air BnB) in unincorporated Lewis County will be required to register the rental through the county. Owners / operators will have one calendar year to come into compliance.

The Advisory Group will explore a range of STR-related topics, such as analyzing permit data, examining the relationship between STRs and residential housing, and helping develop “good neighbor” guidelines. Members will collaborate with county staff and the Lewis County Planning Commission to develop performance metrics, track constituent experiences and evaluate implementation and enforcement tools to ensure STRs are being managed effectively.

SHORT TERM RENTALS (STR) ADVISORY GROUP

The STR Advisory Group will meet quarterly – on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December – at rotating sites throughout the county. Members will serve four-year terms in the following roles:

• Three residents of unincorporated Lewis County who do not own STRs (one from each commissioner district). At least one of these must also represent a homeowners association.
• Six STR owners (or professional STR property managers) with STRs located in unincorporated Lewis County (two representatives from each commissioner district). These members are not required to reside in Lewis County.
• One hotelier representing a hotel or motel in unincorporated Lewis County that does not operate STRs. This member is not required to reside in Lewis County.
• One representative from a Lewis County fire district.

INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE STR ADVISORY GROUP?

To apply to join the Short Term Rental Advisory Group, fill out the two-page application here.

Send your completed packet to Community Development Director Mindy Brooks via email at mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov (include “STR Advisory Group” in the subject line)

Applications are due by 3 p.m. Dec. 23.

The Lewis County Planning Commission will review all applications and forward its recommendations to the BOCC by the end of January.

FOR QUESTIONS / MORE INFO

For more information about the new short-term rental registry process, please visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/short-term-rentals/.

For questions about the Advisory Group, please contact Community Development Director Mindy Brooks via email at mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov or by phone at 360-740-1232.