With the threat of burglary in mind, vacation rental dwellings (VRDs) may no longer be required to post large signs and illuminated house numbers after an amended ordinance is heard Monday at the regular meeting of the Lincoln City City Council.
“You don’t want a big red flag saying this place is empty,” Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams said. “That’s why I don’t ask for addresses when people come to speak at City Council meetings.”
VRD owners will still be required to place a small placard or sign on the front facing of the building posting contact information advising neighbors and tenants of the name and telephone number of the VRD’s local representative; with alarm signs, if applicable, next to the sign.
Under the amended sign code, VRD owners who choose to have a small exterior sign can now have one under the exemption for two-square-foot signage; however the City will not require such a sign.
The City Council adopted Health and Safety Standards in 2014 for vacation rental dwellings, including a requirement for a small sign (government sign) with local representative contact information on the exterior of the building.
Another requirement required house numbers to be reflective or illuminated after the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office again rejected a public record’s petition for a VRD mailing list under Oregon Public Records Law on personal privacy exemption and security grounds.
“Owners shall post a small placard or sign on the front facing side of the building advising neighbors and tenants of the name and telephone number of the VRD local representative; alarm signs should be located next to this sign,” the amended proposal states.
The amendment clarifies that the City Council protects the personal privacy of vacation rental owner contact information and VRD security (from burglary) under Oregon Public Records law ORS 192.355(2).
While owners can still expose themselves as a VRD under the amended sign ordinance’s provision for a permanent two-square-foot sign, such signage will not be an exempt “government” (required) sign.
The amended ordinances read:
SECTION 1. Lincoln City Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Registrations) Chapter 5.14 (Vacation Rental License), Section 5.14.060.B.4.b.x:
“Vacation rental dwellings shall have clearly visible house numbers and such numbers shall/may be illuminated or reflective to facilitate emergency response“;
AND:
SECTION 2. Lincoln City Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Registrations) Chapter 5.14 (Vacation Rental License), Section 5.14.060.B.6.a.iv. is amended to read as follows:
“Owners shall post a small placard or sign on the front facing side of the building advising neighbors and tenants of the name and telephone number of the VRD local representative; alarm signs should be located next to this sign.”
