RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – The Riley County Planning and Development Department is considering amendments to local short-term rental (STR) regulations to address community concerns and improve the management of properties operating outside city limits.
The proposed changes include:
- Adding a 500-foot separation distance between STR units
- Requiring STR properties to be current on all property taxes and county fees before receiving or renewing a license
- Requiring that Responsible Agents to respond in person within one hour of notification of any complaint or emergency
These amendments would only apply to unincorporated properties in Riley County that are outside any city limits. There are currently 30 of these STR units in operation, offering homes or cabins on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
East Park rezoning effort fails at Manhattan City Commission
“Requiring a separation distance helps reduce parking and traffic problems, and defining a quick in-person response ensures that property managers can assist renters or address complaints promptly,” said Riley County Planning and Development Director Amanda Webb. “Ensuring taxes and fees are paid before a license is issued also gives the county the leverage it needs to maintain accountability.”
Properties found in violation of these code requirements, or that operate without a license, will be subject to a standard code enforcement and prosecution procedure.
The Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Nov. 3, allowing the public to provide comments.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
