Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
Photo – Dining area – Bigfoot99 file photo
Platte Valley communities are still working through how to regulate short‑term rentals.
In 2024, the Saratoga Planning Commission was struggling to decide what, if anything, should be done to address the prevalence of short‑term rentals in town. Some residents said short‑term rentals contribute to the local economy, while others argued they limit the availability of lower‑cost housing options. At the time, 69 short‑term rental properties were operating in Saratoga.
Ultimately, the Saratoga Town Council chose not to limit the number of rentals, but to require a special use permit. The permit will allow the town to track all short‑term rentals operating in the community.
Last fall, the Town of Encampment faced a similar situation. To curb the influx of short‑term rentals and lodging houses, Encampment’s governing body placed a temporary moratorium on permits allowing residents to rent out their homes. The measure remains in effect while the town studies how temporary lodging affects property values, resident safety, and the availability of long‑term housing. As of this report, Encampment officials are still waiting for legal guidance on how to preserve private property rights while preventing every affordable home in town from being converted into a short‑term rental.
Next door in Riverside, the governing body is grappling with a similar situation. During the March 12th Riverside Town Council meeting, the governing body reviewed the first draft of a proposed short‑term rental ordinance. The measure is modeled on regulations from the Town of Pinedale.
In the western Wyoming community, all short‑term rentals are required to obtain an annual permit, with properties needing functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. Only owner‑occupied rentals are allowed in residential areas, while non‑owner‑occupied units are limited to commercial zones. Rentals are capped at 10 guests per booking. Pinedale officials enacted the regulations in 2021 to balance the town’s residential character with its growing tourism market as a less expensive alternative to Jackson Hole.
At the March 12th Riverside Town Council meeting, the governing body decided that RV parks are not considered short‑term rentals and would not be included in the proposed ordinance. Resident Dean Webb voiced his opposition to the ordinance, asking what the measure was designed to address. Mayor Stephenson replied that the town is attempting to prevent future issues involving the number and location of short‑term rentals. Webb noted that short‑term rentals may supplement the town’s lack of other lodging options.
Another Riverside resident, Helen Weiland, expressed concern about requiring homeowners to occupy rentals in residential zones. Under the proposed ordinance, seasonal residents could not rent their property while out of town.
Following the discussion, the Riverside Town Council chose not to take any action regarding the proposed short-term rental ordinance.
Northern Carbon County towns are having the opposite problem. At the October 14th, 2025, meeting of the Hanna Town Council, Mayor Charlie George expressed support when notified that a resident planned to make their home available as a short‑term rental. Councilman David Felix warned that Hanna could become overrun with guest accommodations, similar to Saratoga and Encampment. Mayor George replied that he would welcome that outcome.
The short‑term rental website VRBO lists three properties in Hanna: a residential home and two studio apartments in the same building. AirBNB shows a single listing in Medicine Bow, a room in the Virginian Hotel.
