Change to short-term rental ordinance in West Fargo tabled, committee started to research the topic

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — City commissioners in West Fargo vote to table the second reading of a new ordinance to restrict who can operate short-term rental properties.

It would make primary residences the only ones eligible to be used as short-term rentals, leaving investment properties out of the equation.

Commissioners decided to start a committee to look into the issue including complaints about noise and parking.

Two commissioners on opposite sides of the issue will be included on the committee along with police and they want more feedback from the community.

“During this dialogue that we’ve received from people that support the Airbnb’s, there’ve been a lot of references to different ordinances across the nation how other cities or other states have handled this. So we’re going to have to do some research,” Mayor Bernie Dardis told the commission.

The city did not put a timeline on the new committee’s fact-finding mission.

Earlier this month, commissioners had voted 3-2 on the first reading to advance the short-term rental ordinance change.