City Of Gig Harbor: City Council Approves Two Emergency Ordinances

Press release from the City of Gig Harbor:

September 28, 2021

On September 27, the Gig Harbor City Council approved two emergency ordinances. These ordinances adopted interim zoning controls related to emergency housing and shelters and imposed a 6 month moratorium on short term rental applications.

Ordinance 1466 adopts interim zoning controls allowing emergency shelters, emergency housing, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing in designated zones for a six month period. Council enacted the ordinance in order to meet the state-imposed September 30 deadline. The Planning Commission and City Council will study and refine these zoning controls during the interim period.

Ordinance 1467 imposes an emergency moratorium on new applications for short-term rentals for the next six months. This moratorium is designed to give Council appropriate time to review the current structure of the City's short-term rental application approval process and properly discuss potential future regulations. All current short-term rental permits remain in place and staff will continue to process applications for permits received before the moratorium was imposed. 

The agenda and packet for the September 27 City Council meeting can be found here: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/AgendaCenter/City-Council-3/?#_09272021-155. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvTBvb6n5Mw.

The opportunity for public comment on both ordinances will be held during formal public hearing at the next City Council meeting on October 11 at 5:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts at the public hearing. Comment can be made during the hearing  by joining the City Council meeting on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93216056382.

This press release was produced by the City of Gig Harbor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.