Rapid City officials are seeking public input on the development of a proposed ordinance regulating vacation home rentals in the community.
The City's Community Development Department hosted an open house to share information and gather feedback from attendees on what an ordinance could look like. A survey is also available at RCgov.org where the public can submit input through Feb. 5, 2025.
"There's not any proposal for what the ordinance would be today. We're really trying to figure out what the public would like to see in that, as well as we do have an advisory committee that's kind of grappling with these considerations," said Jessica Olson, the current planning manager for Rapid City.
Olson says that potential regulation options could be establishing zoning districts, a registration system for vacation home rentals, parking enforcements and occupant limits.
"It's important to see what the issues are in the community and how the community perceives that they should be addressed or not. It's always good to take under advisement the people that are experiencing that in real time. And we look to that information to be able to gauge whether a regulation is needed or not in the first place," said Olson.
The City's advisory committee will compile public feedback over the next several months and formulate a recommendation in the spring. The proposed ordinance would then go before City Council later this year.