Residential swimming pool rentals

[bureaucrat#3]

A planner in another jurisdiction mentioned they were having difficulty with people renting out their swimming pools by the hour for parties or events. I might be late to the game, but hadn't heard of it. Sure enough looking on one of the sites we have one in operation. While I try not to look for issues, I can imagine this could become an issue if more people decided to do it.

In my city for $20 an hour you can rent the pool with lounge chairs and grill for up to 20 people. No nudity or swim diapers are allowed, but you can byob and play loud music according to the ad. Have you had this issue?

My general thought is it would not an allowable rental space for events under our ordinance. As a homeowner I can't imagine taking on the liability. I'm sure if there is an accident home owner's insurance is going to deny it very quickly.

 

[SlaveToTheGrind]

Home occupation regulations. What does your code say?

 

[Gedunker]

Agree with home occupation regulation. Would not fly here, IMO.

[OT]I wonder if their homeowner's insurance knows they are doing this? I imagine it would be CHA-CHING! if they do know.[/OT]

 

[SteveHarveyOswald]

I would likely treat this as a Major Home Occupation per our Zoning Ordinance, which would require Special Land Use approval. Minor Home Occupations are those where it only involves people living in the residence, with no outside visitors or exterior evidence (e.g. home office), and they are permitted by-right as an accessory use. Anything that has clients or visitors coming to the home or visible exterior evidence (e.g. in-home hair salons, catering pick-ups, pool party rentals, etc.) automatically gets classified as a Major Home Occupation.

 

[mendelman]

I would likely treat this as a Major Home Occupation per our Zoning Ordinance, which would require Special Land Use approval. Minor Home Occupations are those where it only involves people living in the residence, with no outside visitors or exterior evidence (e.g. home office), and they are permitted by-right as an accessory use. Anything that has clients or visitors coming to the home or visible exterior evidence (e.g. in-home hair salons, catering pick-ups, etc.) automatically gets classified as a Major Home Occupation.

I think most of us simply have accessory home occ. rules like yours and therefore those rules can be used to prohibit the activity usually without much interpretative heavy lifting.

 

[SteveHarveyOswald]

I think most of us simply have accessory home occ. rules like yours and therefore those rules can be used to prohibit the activity usually without much interpretative heavy lifting.

Fair enough. From my experience, the mention of the need for a Special Land Use public hearing and City Council action scares off most people inquiring about a Major Home Occupation here.

 

[mendelman]

Fair enough. From my experience, the mention of the need for a Special Land Use public hearing and City Council action scares off most people inquiring about a Major Home Occupation here.

But I've also experienced enough people that vastly underestimate such processes and proceed forward and then get unreasonably bent out of shape with why is this so hard, it's just a couple pool parties every month during summer/all year?

 

[SteveHarveyOswald]

But I've also experienced enough people that vastly underestimate such processes and proceed forward and then get unreasonably bent out of shape with why is this so hard, it's such a couple pool parties every month during summer/all year?

"I understand your frustration. However, because this use has the potential to negatively impact neighbors, this is a discretionary review based on case-by-case details and I cannot guarantee how the Planning Commission or City Council will act on this application. Please make sure to to read the full application packet and submittal requirement checklists on the last page"

Then I go back to my office and murmur in frustration for a few minutes before going out for a coffee.