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On Wednesday, commission members voted 3-0 to recommend a much different version of short-term rental rules originally introduced by council members Lynn Mielke and Pete Lesher.

Mielke and Lesher’s proposals aimed to address what some say is a proliferation of rentals in the county, hurting small communities and villages. Rental owners and agents, though, have said the proposals are an unnecessary example of government overreach.

According to county data from June, there are about 185 short-term rentals in operation. That’s largely even with the past two years.

As currently set up, property owners obtain short-term rental licenses from a review board. Once an initial license is approved, they must obtain renewal from the board one year later, then every two years. Thirteen new licenses had been approved in 2025 as of early June, per county data.

Initially, Mielke and Lesher’s proposed restrictions included mandatory landlines, more detailed stay logs for license renewals, a seven-night minimum stay for lease holders in residential and village districts, and a split of licenses into two classes based on if the property is the applicant’s primary residence.

The Planning Commission gutted most of that.

Landlines, seven-night minimum stays, a class split for licenses and most of the stay log requirements were struck through by the commission in its recommendation.

In some areas, such as with a 60-day deadline for rental license holders to submit a renewal application, the commission is suggesting reduced regulation.

County staff prepared the edits that were presented Wednesday based on a lengthy discussion at the commission’s July meeting. Commission member Chip Councell said the update was an accurate reflection of that meeting.

The County Council, though, will have final say on the matter and whether or not language struck by the commission is plugged back in. As of Friday, the short-term rental legislation isn’t on the council’s agenda for its Tuesday meeting.

“Of course, the ball’s in the County Council’s court,� Councell said. “This is our recommendation. Obviously, they can do whatever they see fit.�