PEKIN, Ill. – Rules and regulations are coming to short-term rentals in Pekin.
The city council unanimously approved changes to the city’s code to regulate rentals booked online through places such as AirBNB and Vrbo. There was little discussion about the ordinance from council members prior to the vote.
City Manager John Dossey says the regulations are being put in place to provide a clear process for operators, establish standards for fire, insurance, and sanitation, and to mitigate potential nuisance impacts on neighborhoods.
Some of the provisions of the changes include creating a licensing program that would be valid from January to December each year, mandatory inspections by city officials for code compliance, limiting the number of licenses allowed to 15, tax collection obligations, and prohibition of exterior signage or excessive occupancy.
“I think it’s a good thing, not only for the registration, but the safety aspect,” Councilman Dave Nutter said prior to the vote. “It’s one of those things not any different from a hotel/motel.”
A motion was made at the start of the meeting to table it by Councilwoman Peg Phillips, citing wanting more time to read the proposed changes.
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