Project News

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The second work session with the BOCC has been rescheduled to May 7, 2024 at 1pm. The purpose of this workshop is to review a first draft of short-term vacation rental regulations. At this time, the meeting will be held via Zoom only, as well as broadcast on Mason WebTV.com. Links to the Zoom meeting will be made available on the home page of MasonCountyWA.gov

• The Commissioners will announce during the meeting whether they will be allowing public comment/questions
• The public does have the opportunity to provide the project manager with comments in writing, please provide by email to mwatson@masoncountywa.gov by April 15, 2024 (extended to April 29th EOB) in order to be included in the packet that goes to the Commissioners. Comments can be provided afterwards as well but they may not be seen prior to this scheduled meeting.
• First Draft Regulations will be posted on the Meeting Information page, when available.
• o Regulations will continue to be revised and shaped as the process moves from the Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Advisory Commission, and back to the Board.

Check back here for major milestones in project development. For step-by-step project development see the Meeting Information page.

Project Overview

The Planning Department has been directed by the Mason County Board of Commissioners to review the short-term vacation rental (Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc.) situation in Mason County. The County has never regulated, nor does it currently regulate short-term rentals. The state, however, enacted certain statutes, RCW 64.37, regarding short-term lodging rentals that became effective on July 28, 2019. Many counties and cities have already extended the statutes to encompass their own regulations based on the unique situation within their jurisdiction.

The Department has received an increasing number of reports from Mason County residents expressing concern over short-term rentals, especially on shoreline fronting lots. The concerns range from overuse of septic systems, beach trespassing and harvesting, and noise complaints. At the same time, the Department also knows that short-term vacation rentals may make shoreline residency more affordable for residents of the County as well as provide experiences for non-residents that may rarely be possible along with the financial boost to businesses that these guests may partake of.

This topic will also be relevant as the County updates the Comprehensive Plan which includes re-evaluating the vision for the County as well as revising the county-wide planning policies. Meetings on this process will also be starting soon.