A tale of two cities: Why Lafayette needs an Airbnb ordinance and WL may not

Transient rentals are offered through services like Airbnb, marketed as an alternative to hotel stays. They are usually intended as a lease-free, short-term stay, often at a cost cheaper than a hotel rental. 

The issue of Airbnb rentals initially was brought to the attention of the Area Plan Commission when Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski asked the APC to consider regulations. He was concerned about some properties at Chatham Square that were being run like hotels through transient rental services.

The original amendment proposed in January would have curtailed Airbnb rentals in the county and the ability of property owners to let transient rentals for sustained periods of time. 

Locals renting properties through Airbnb turned out in force to the January APC meeting to speak against the amendment, which was tabled due to these testimonies. 

Local transient housing regulations were delayed again when it looked like the Indiana General Assembly might pass statewide regulations, which ultimately it did not.  

In mid-July the APC passed a much scaled back amendment, Amendment 88, to the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO), which now goes to the cities for a vote on adoption.