The Buncombe County Planning Board is seeking detailed input to write proposed regulations for short-term rentals during a series of planned public meetings.
The board is in the process of drafting text amendments to the county’s development ordinance related to short-term, or “vacation” rentals, which have sharply increased in recent years throughout the region.
The proposed ordinance would only govern incorporated areas outside Asheville and other municipalities. Currently, Buncombe County zoning allows short-term rentals in all unincorporated areas except the airport-area district. But that might be changing.
A draft ordinance has been evolving over recent months, including proposed provisions that could limit where short-term rentals are allowed. For example, one proposal is to ban them as an allowed use in the Steep Slope/High Elevation overlay area, and the Protected Ridge overlay area.
Other proposed provisions would affect capacity limits, facility requirements and a host of other issues.
The latest draft could allow certain existing vacation rentals to be grandfathered-in to continue, even if they are considered a “non-conforming use,” but only if certain conditions are met under a compliance permit process.
“The Planning Board is asking for input regarding the specifics of the proposed amendment itself, as opposed to general for/against comments,” the board said in a release announcing the public sessions.
* A planning board “listening session” will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18, at the Ferguson Auditorium of A-B Tech, Asheville.
* A work session will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 1, at the 3rd floor chambers of 200 College St., Asheville.
* A public hearing will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at a location to be determined.
The creation of the ordinance still is at an early stage. It won’t become final unless and until it is enacted by the full Buncombe County Commission.
The latest draft and other information can be found here: