Airbnb

Ever wanted to take a vacation in a giant potato? You can do so right here in Idaho for $207 a night, in the Big Idaho Potato Hotel just outside Boise.

Several Idaho cities are trying to address an increasing number of short-term rentals amid affordable housing challenges, while complying with a 2017 state law prohibiting most regulations on the rentals like Airbnbs.

Property owners wanting to rent out a unit for fewer than 30 days in Ketchum will need to get a permit from the city.

Faced with affordable housing issues, cities in Idaho – from Boise to Ketchum – are considering ordinances they hope will help them get a handle on a growing number of short-term rentals, without veering into a legal gray area under Idaho law.

The Ketchum City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance which would require property owners to get a special permit to rent on sites like Airbnb. Rachel Cohen reports.

Some advocates said the city’s proposals don’t go far enough to reduce short-term rentals’ impacts on affordable housing.

Ketchum is considering creating a business license for short-term rentals as a possible solution to affordable housing issues.

Short-term rentals are great for tourists looking for alternative lodging options, but they're also contributing to housing shortages and sky-high real estate prices.

Ketchum city leaders have previously said they can’t regulate short-term rentals because of a 2017 Idaho state law, which only allows cities to crack down on services like AirBnB and VRBO if they affect public health or safety. But a pressing housing crisis has forced staff to take another look at the legislation, and now they think there might be a gray area.

Short-term rentals have become a popular alternative to hotels and have created side hustle income for homeowners, in some cases helping folks cover their…