BRECKENRIDGE \u2014 At Breckenridge Town Council\u2019s Tuesday work session, the council struck down a proposed ordinance to raise the water usage rates for short-term rental units.<\/p>\n
The ordinance was proposed because of a major spike in water use from January to March. The town is adding onto the new water plant in order to meet the need created during peak ski season.<\/p>\n
The cost of expanding the water plant led to the proposal to charge short-term rental units a higher water use fee. However, when looking at water usage over the course of a year, the short-term rental units, which are not occupied full time, were fairly even with other units in Breckenridge. <\/p>\n
A look at the data showed water use in short-term rentals spikes from January to March, while water use in year-round rentals or residential properties spikes in the summer.<\/p>\n
Council decided against raising water rates for short-term rentals, believing a higher rate was unfair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt it was an indefensible position over the course of the year to slap on a higher rate,\u201d Breckenridge Mayor Eric Mamula said. <\/p>\n
Council scrapped the water ordinance but decided to move forward with another proposed short-term rental ordinance addressing occupancy limits for rentals. The ordinance requires that short-term rental units mention the occupancy limit in the advertisement listing. <\/p>\n
Occupancy limits are set by the town based on a standardized method of counting two people per bedroom plus four people for additional living space. Council proposed an amendment to the ordinance that allows for an appeal process if a rental unit does not agree with the set occupancy limit or if the unit has been updated. <\/p>\n
The short-term rental ordinances will be discussed further at the next town council meeting Sept. 10.<\/p>\n