Summary: In January of 2000, the Town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina's Board of Commissioners voted to enforce the short-term rental ban that had been on the books since 1976.

The Ordinance Banning Short-Term Rentals: The Town of Blowing Rock codes define a short-term rental as "The rental, lease, or use of an attached or detached residential dwelling unit for a duration that is less than 28 consecutive days."  A ban on short-term rentals has been on the books since 1976, but was enforced only when a complaint was filed. The issue was raised again in 1998 when a developer wanted to build a series of vacation rental cabins and the town used the ordinance to block him. The Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners decided to re-examine the issue in 2000. Violations of the short-term rental ordinance results in a fine of $500 for the first offense.

Advocates for Enforcing the Ban: Local residents.

Arguments:

• A town poll showed that most permanent residents oppose short-term rentals in their neighborhoods.
• The loss of occupancy taxes from short-term rentals will not effect the town's revenue.
• Residents complain of excess noise, trash, and traffic caused by short-term renters.
• Full-time residents deserve their privacy.

Opponents of Enforcing the Ban: Vacation rental owners and rental agents.

Arguments:

• The current ordinance was so poorly enforced that rental owners didn't know they were breaking it.
• Current second homeowners in the area couldn't afford to keep their home if the ban is enforced.
• The average renter has changed. In 1975, the renters were mostly in their 60s or 70s and stayed for about three months. Today, it's mostly families who rent an average of 4.5 nights.
• Enforcing the ban would result in the loss of tax revenue for the town and decreased business for the town's restaurants and shops.
• The ban would encourage illegal short-term rentals who fly under the radar and don't pay taxes.

Timeline

January 10, 2000: The Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners heard public comment about possibly changing the on-the-books-but-rarely-enforced ordinance banning vacation rentals in the town. The proposed changed would allow rentals under 28 days in areas zoned for condos and apartments and would forbade short-term rentals in areas zoned for single-family homes.

January 12, 2000: In lieu of adopting the new ordinance, the Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners decided instead, to enforce the current short-term rental ban already on the books.

April 11, 2000: The town amended its codes to allow for "Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts."

Here's what the Town of Blowing Rock's website has to say about short-term rentals:

"Is short-term rental allowed in Town?

Yes. The Town of Blowing Rock does allow for short term rental in certain zoning districts. Short term rental of a dwelling unit is defined as the rental, lease, or use of an attached or detached residential dwelling unit for a duration of less than 28 consecutive days. For further information about short-term rentals, contact the Planning and Inspections Department."

Blowing Rock Links:

Town of Blowing Rock Planning and Inspections Department
Town of Blowing Rock Land Use Code

Sources:
Beshears, Erica. "BLOWING ROCK BAN ON RENTALS AT ISSUE." The Charlotte Observer 11 Jan. 2000, One-Two ed., sec. 1A.

Beshears, Erica. "TOWN KEEPS LID ON RENTALS TO TOURISTS." The Charlotte Observer 12 Jan. 2000, One-Three ed., sec. 1B.

"CHAPTER 16 - LAND USE ORDINANCE." Town of Blowing Rock. 6 Mar. 2007 .

"Frequently Asked Questions." Blowing Rock- Planning and Inspections. 2007. 06 Jan. 2007 . 

Do you own property in Blowing Rock? Tell us your story. We're trying to be as thorough as possible in our research, but since we don't own property in this area ourselves, we need your help!

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