City staff (name not provided) brought a redacted complaint to the Oct. 27 work session about a property listed on short-term rental platforms at 19520 West Trioaks Circle NE that neighbors say is hosting recurring gatherings of 20 to 40 people and larger.

"Essentially, what's happening as it was reported, gatherings are occurring at this property or 20 to 40 or more people are coming," staff said in the meeting packet presentation. Staff told council East Bethel currently has no short-term rental ordinance that specifically regulates VRBO-type activity and noted that, in many cases, gatherings of fewer than 250 people outdoors do not violate existing city ordinances.

Staff listed public-safety and health questions the city cannot currently require for short-term rentals: septic and well inspections, smoke-detector checks and other occupancy-related safety reviews. The property in the complaint is listed to sleep 16, was described by staff as built in 1997, sits on about 0.78 acre, and is advertised at about $930 per night or $6,500 per week; staff said the city has about five to 10 short-term rentals operating now and that most have not attracted complaints.

Councilmembers discussed enforcement options, including towing vehicles parked on yards or rights-of-way and a possible licensing approach that could include progressive enforcement (for example, revoking a short-term rental license after repeated verified complaints). One councilmember cautioned against imposing undue costs or onerous requirements on hosts who operate responsibly.

Staff said it would research model ordinances from other communities, evaluate whether the sheriff's office has sufficient enforcement tools, and return with proposed language. Staff also said it may reach out to the property owner in the interim. No ordinance was proposed or adopted at the meeting.

"We will dig into that one. We'll come back with something addressing this," staff said.