Logan city conducts rental revisons

The Logan City Council met on Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024, to discuss proposed changes to the existing Land Development Code. The propositions concerned regulations on accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals surrounding Utah State University’s Logan Campus.

Accessory dwelling units, also referred to as ADUs, are small independent living units connected to or on the same property as a single-family dwelling. Currently, ADUs are not allowed around campus. The area exclusion zone exists from second East to 16th East, 14th North to Logan River, and third South.

Mike Desimone Logan City’s Director of community development, brought the new proposals to the city council.

“ADUs could provide additional housing on existing, developed lots with minimal investment for a variety of residents, whether student or non-student,” DeSimone said.

This limits current residents on their ability to utilize their current property for rental purposes.

The current ordinance only allows for ADUs to be within the existing home, such as in a basement. However, the new plan aims to enable them to exist externally and within the current exclusion zone. This could allow for more affordable rental housing near campus.

Jeannie Simmond who serves as the chair of the council offered many thoughts throughout the meeting.

“There are currently only restrictions regarding ADUs around campus. Should we lift those restrictions, there is a chance that owners will create an ADU inside their house or, if space is available, on their property. If created, I would assume that some of those would be available for students to rent,” Simmonds said.

There were proposed revisions surrounding short-term rentals or STRs. An STR is a dwelling rented for 30 days or less, typically used for vacations. Currently, they are banned in single-family residential zones. The new plan seeks to rid of these bans, allowing for more STRs to be available in Logan.

Some residents argued against the allowance of more STRs, stating that there is already a housing crisis and vacation rentals will take housing away from residents who want to buy a home. This can affect students because it is less likely they will utilize STRs while going to school since they are only available on a month-to-month basis.

“Additional STRs, wherever they are, reduce dwellings available for long-term rent or for sale,” Simmonds said.

Eli Hopkins, a property manager from North Logan, claims that this is not the case.

“As of yesterday, Cache Valley has 479 homes for sale but only 161 under contract and that gap continues to grow. We don’t have a housing shortage, but we have affordable housing issues,”  Hopkins said.

An additional argument against STRs came from Logan resident Mary Sharp.  

 “I live just east of campus. It’s a fragile neighborhood because it does need to be protected from too many absentee landlords. Owner-occupied housing needs to be encouraged,” Sharp said.  

 The City Council’s meeting concluded without passing the new ordinance into law. The discussion has been tabled and the City Council will meet on Oct 1, without a public hearing to make a final decision.