The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners reviewed the final draft of an ordinance regulating short-term rentals in their meetings Tuesday.
A short-term rental is any rental that is occupied for fewer than 30 days by one party, such as the operations of an Air BNB or VRBO.
The Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board had prohibited them within their jurisdiction in the city of Bemidji and Northern Township a few years ago until an ordinance was established permitting and regulating them within the last year or so.
Brent Rud with the county’s Environmental Services Office said the ordinance they created has different tiers and fees based on risk.
Occupancy would be limited to two persons per bedroom or equal to the permitted design flow of the septic system, whichever is fewer.
Those who currently operate short-term rentals within the county will have 90 days to apply for the applicable permits when the ordinance goes into effect on July 1.
After discussing the topic in the work session, the county board approved the item by a unanimous vote in their regular meeting.
