We Will Not Be Ignored!

Dear STRACC Supporters,

The County is at it again - Now is the time to act!

Dear STRACC,

1. Permits will be required to operate your rental. This permit will be costly ($500/year) and can be revoked. Imagine an unreasonable neighbor moving in that wants to shut you down. As we’ve seen before, they can harass the county and even your guests until you receive a cease and desist order forbidding you to honor your future reservations. *See Maria’s story below.
2. Permit will be non-transferrable. When it is time to sell your investment, you cannot sell it as a vacation rental. This will cost you thousands and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
3. Occupancy will be limited to 10 people max, including children. This limit applies to homes that can safely and comfortably sleep many more. Family reunions will be a thing of the past in Chelan County. Imagine wanting to share a home with your extended family and hotels being the only option. 
4. Moratorium on future vacation rentals. Have you ever considered using an extra guest room to supplement your income? What if you lost your job and needed extra income to avoid foreclosure? This will be forbidden if the proposed regulations are adopted. 

• Business Owners: STRs generate $40 million per year for local businesses. Limit STRs and occupancy and the impact on your business is significant.
• Homeowners:  If your circumstances change and you want to turn your home into an STR you will be denied due to the moratorium or pay a significant amount to get a permit.   
• STR owners:  Once you have a permit, they have the right to come on your property any time and they have the right to pull your permit.

What you can do!

1. Donate to STRACC. We've rehired the legal team who helped us defeat last year's regulation effort, and we are planning a multi-faceted legal strategy to defend your property rights. We have a strong case, but it won't be cheap. We suggest a $300 donation per owner, but any amount helps!
2. Attend Wednesday's Meeting. The Planning Commission is holding a virtual public meeting this Wednesday at 7pm to review the latest draft code. We need to make our voices heard.
3. Write an email! Earlier this month we proved that your letter-writing works! So many of you wrote and convinced the Commissioners to reverse their unjust ban on STRs during the pandemic. Now, we need you to write them again and let them know how you feel about these new regulations. Here are some potential talking points:
   • Enforce the current codes! Ask the Commissioners to enforce existing Chelan County codes that address noise, garbage, and parking issues before adding new regulations that also won't be enforced. Sheriff Burnett has stated that STRs cause fewer problems than hotels and long-term rentals.
   • Demand that this process be delayed. Holding these proceedings via zoom limits the number of people who can participate. It is not a fair, equitable, and transparent proceeding. Equal access is a right, and is currently an impossibility.
   • Tell your story. If you are a business owner, explain how your business will be impacted. If you own a rental, share your positive relationships with neighbors and guests, and how your rental provides for you and creates jobs. If you are an advocate for property rights, describe how this impacts you!

County Lifts STR Ban - Thanks to You!

Dear STRACC,

• Requiring a $500/year permit to legally operate an STR and enforced by the Sheriff
• Limiting new STRs to 1% in most areas and a 3-year ban outright in Peshastin, Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth or Wenatchee UGAs.
• A restriction of two-guest per bedroom could be required with no more than 10 guests allowed per nightly rental.

URGENT: Write the Commissioners to Lift the STR Ban Now!

Dear STRACC,