Title
RESOLUTION CLARIFYING THE TERM OF INTERIM CONTROLS REGARDING ENACTMENT OF A MORATORIUM ON CERTAIN SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2025, the Duluth city council introduced Ordinance No. 25-028-O (the “Interim Ordinance”), which provided for imposing a moratorium on certain short-term rental permits pending completion of a city study weighing the need for any amendment to the city’s official controls relating to short-term rentals, as authorized under Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd. 4, and which Interim Ordinance was adopted on November 10, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Interim Ordinance provided that the moratorium be effective until the expiration of 12 months following the introduction of the Interim Ordinance, subject to adoption of Resolution No. 25-0808 (the “Interim Resolution”) pursuant to Section 50-37.3.D of the Duluth city code; and
WHEREAS, while introduced on October 14, 2025 alongside the Interim Ordinance, the Interim Resolution was not adopted until November 10, 2025, resulting in a 27-day delay of the moratorium going into effect; and
WHEREAS, the city completed the study on short term rental permits pursuant to the Interim Ordinance and Duluth city council introduced Ordinance No. 26-038-O, imposing new regulations on short term rentals, and Ordinance No. 26-040-O, repealing previous controls of short term rental permits, which, if adopted, would not become effective within 12 months of the introduction of the Interim Ordinance, but would become effective within 12 months of adoption of the Interim Resolution, owing to the above-described delay between the passage of the Interim Ordinance and the passage of the companion Interim Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the city desires to reconcile the stated intent of the Interim Ordinance to impose a 12 month moratorium with the date of adoption of the Interim Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Duluth city council hereby resolves that the moratorium imposed by Ordinance No. 25-028-O, subject to adoption of Resolution 25-0808, shall be effective for 12 months starting November 10, 2025.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution clarifies that the moratorium on short term rental permits, passed by council on November 10, 2025, is set for 12 months, expiring on November 10, 2026. This clarification avoids any confusion that may occur by having conflicting ordinances regulating short term rental. If the moratorium were to expire prior to the effectiveness of Ordinance Nos. 26-038-O and 26-040-O, the prior regulations related to vacation dwelling units, accessory homeshares, and bed and breakfasts would return to their prior status, be effective, and the City could be obligated to accept applications for permits under the prior regulations. Nothing in this resolution extends the mortarium beyond the statutory period which may not exceed one year.