Planning Commission to issue findings and conclusions on vacation rentals, ADUs

On Friday, Feb. 18, the County Planning Commission will formally issue their findings and conclusions on a proposed cap on the number of vacation rentals and accessory dwelling units allowed in San Juan County.

At a public meeting on Oct. 15, the commission recommended that the County Council adopt an ordinance that would limit the number of permits issued for vacation rentals and ADUs for the next five years. However, the commission did not formally issue their findings and conclusions at that meeting. County staff and the prosecuting attorney’s office determined that findings and conclusions must be issued at a public hearing alongside a recommendation before the Council can be formally briefed on the matter.

The commission recommends capping vacation rentals and ADUs at 650 permits county wide, matching the number of compliant permits in effect as of July 31, 2021. Of those 650 permits, 229 would be allotted to San Juan Island, along with 334 to Orcas Island, 85 to Lopez Island, and two to the outer islands. Vacation rentals are prohibited on Shaw Island and Waldron Island.

Even after the Feb. 18 hearing, several steps remain before the proposed ordinance would take effect. County staff must brief the Council on the Planning Commission’s recommendation at two separate public meetings, the Council must hold a public hearing and accept public comments, and the Council must deliberate the ordinance and issue its own findings.

The ordinance would take effect ten working days after adoption by the Council.

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