The Taos County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday (August 20) to adopt an initial package of comprehensive restrictions on short-term rentals, following a hearing where public testimony was fairly divided between supporters and opponents of the new ordinance.
The new regulation sets a limit of 400 permits that can be issued from October 21, but provides exceptions for several categories of short-term rental units. When the new law takes effect in 60 days, it will only apply to the unincorporated parts of the county.
Authorities expect at least 650 to 700 short-term rentals to be eligible for approval under the new rules. Currently, about 700 to 800 short-term rentals are available during the peak travel season of the year, according to data from Granicus, which monitors hundreds of short-term rental listings online and provides compliance services for hosts with authorities.
In a comment to the commission ahead of the vote, Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun said she calculated the new restrictions would negatively impact the small resort town’s economy by about $15 million.
Calhoun, who is a real estate agent by trade, said there are about 70 short-term rental properties on the outskirts of incorporated Red River. The $15 million figure is based on estimates from the state Department of Tourism that each visitor spends about $250 per day when visiting Red River.
Many people at the meeting supported the ordinance. Some said they have recently been unable to find a one-bedroom or studio apartment in the area for less than $1,100 or even $1,600. One woman said she now spends more than half her income on rent.
Taos Housing Partnership, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to solve the area’s affordable housing crisis, fully supported the ordinance, which it said could force some property owners to rent their units long-term since they will no longer be eligible for short-term rental permits under the new law.
For more on this story, see the Aug. 22 edition of the Taos News.
