After nearly a year of discussion, a majority of Hamilton County commissioners Wednesday approved new restrictions for short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated areas of the county.
The Hamilton County Commission narrowly passed a resolution prohibiting short-term rentals on residential properties smaller than 1 acre and agricultural properties smaller than 2 acres, with a minimum side-by-side buffer of 50 feet.
Commissioner Steve Highlander, R-Harrison, proposed an amendment that would have expanded the size of agricultural properties in which short term rentals are allowed to 2.5 acres. Highlander said he chose the size because it is half of the 5-acre minimum lot size restriction proposed for short-term rentals on agricultural properties in a resolution that failed last month.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County revising resolution prohibiting short term rentals in residential zones)
The amendment failed by 5-3 vote, with commissioners Joe Graham, R-Lookout Valley, Mike Chauncey, R-East Ridge, and David Sharpe, D-Red Bank, voting no and Commissioner Greg Beck, D-North Brainerd, abstaining. Commissioners Ken Smith, R-Hixson, and Warren Mackey, D-Lake Vista, were absent. A minimum of six votes, or a majority of the 11-member board, is required to pass a resolution.