By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County commissioners, on May 21, again postponed until June 11 a final decision about a proposed vacation home rental ordinance. Last-minute citizen input has been received and changes to the proposed ordinance need to be reviewed by all five county board members.

The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to allow the use of private vacation home rentals, but also mitigate possible adverse impacts to the public’s health, safety and quality of life.

“This ordinance intends to regulate behavior and use of the property when rented. It does not intend to regulate or limit the personal use or enjoyment of the property by the owners,” said County Land and Resource Management Director Chris LeClair.

The new ordinance also addresses impacts to surrounding properties, as well as water and environmental quality.

County commissioners have cited the need to strike a balance between protecting property owners’ private rights, enhancing localized economic activity and tourism and preserving the integrity of lakeshore property owners and neighborhoods.

The ordinance, if approved by the county board, will be known as the Otter Tail County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance and will regulate the use of property for a vacation home rental. A copy of the proposed ordination can be seen on the county website under the heading Land and Resource Management Department.