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Short Term Rentals in Bozeman, Montana

178 registered responses


Are you a full-time, part-time, or nonresident of Bozeman?

Response Percent Response Count
Full-time Bozeman resident. 89.3% 159
Part-time Bozeman resident. 6.7% 12
Nonresident of Bozeman. 3.9% 7

Are there Short-Term Rentals in your neighborhood?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 73.6% 131
No 4.5% 8
Not sure 21.9% 39

If you live in Bozeman, what is the impact of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in your neighborhood?

Response Percent Response Count
I feel STRs have a positive impact on my neighborhood. 43.8% 77
I feel STRs have both positive and negative impacts on my neighborhood. 22.7% 40
I feel STRs have a negative impact on my neighborhood. 19.3% 34
I feel STRs have no impact on my neighborhood. 10.8% 19
I have no opinion on how they impact my neighborhood. 3.4% 6

If you believe Short-Term Rentals (STRs) have positive impacts, why? (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
It's an opportunity to meet new people. 43.6% 58
STR properties are usually well cared for. 84.2% 112
There are fewer empty/dark houses in my neighborhood. 47.4% 63
Other 46.6% 62

If you believe Short-Term Rentals have negative impacts, why? (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
Parking 63.9% 62
Noise 43.3% 42
Litter 18.6% 18
Neighborhood character has changed (please explain in the "other" box) 43.3% 42
Effect on supply of housing 56.7% 55
Safety issues 21.6% 21
Other 44.3% 43

Do you agree or disagree with the following regarding Short-Term Rentals (STRs)?

STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 61.2% 109
Disagree 35.4% 63
STRs should have a limit on the number of guests.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 63.5% 113
Disagree 33.1% 59
There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block).
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 45.5% 81
Disagree 51.1% 91
The property owner should reside on-site.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 26.4% 47
Disagree 69.1% 123
If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 78.7% 140
Disagree 20.2% 36
The City should not regulate STRs.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 32.6% 58
Disagree 60.7% 108

Short-Term Rentals should be allowed in the following locations. (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
Low-density residential neighborhoods (mostly single-household) 73.6% 131
Medium-density residential neighborhoods (some single-household, some multi-household properties) 77.5% 138
High-density residential (mostly apartments, condos, multi-household properties) 73.6% 131
Mixed-use areas (some residential, some commercial) 80.9% 144
Commercial areas 59.6% 106
They should not be allowed in the City of Bozeman. 7.9% 14

How often should Short-Term Rentals be inspected?

Response Percent Response Count
Only when initially permitted 12.4% 22
Annually 33.7% 60
Every 3 years 22.5% 40
Never 31.5% 56

My primary reason for owning / operating a Short-Term Rental (STR) is...

Response Percent Response Count
To make additional income. 28.0% 47
To pay the mortgage. 22.6% 38
I live there part-time and don't want to leave it empty. 13.7% 23
My business is owning / operating and renting out properties. 2.4% 4
I do not own / operate a STR. 60.7% 102
Other 13.7% 23

Please share any additional comments.

Answered
110
Skipped
68
Nancy Johnson inside Quadrant SE
January 31, 2017, 8:33 PM
  • Are you a full-time, part-time, or nonresident of Bozeman?
    • Full-time Bozeman resident.
  • Are there Short-Term Rentals in your neighborhood?
    • Yes
  • If you live in Bozeman, what is the impact of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in your neighborhood?
    • I feel STRs have both positive and negative impacts on my neighborhood.
  • If you believe Short-Term Rentals (STRs) have positive impacts, why? (select all that apply)
    • It's an opportunity to meet new people.
    • STR properties are usually well cared for.
    • There are fewer empty/dark houses in my neighborhood.
    • Other - We have used STR around the US and Europe. It allows us to feel "at home" wherever we are. We get to participate in that community. We have used STR near our BonTon neighborhood home for visiting family. AND they are an affordable alternative to hotels.
  • If you believe Short-Term Rentals have negative impacts, why? (select all that apply)
    • Parking
    • Neighborhood character has changed (please explain in the "other" box)
    • Effect on supply of housing
    • Safety issues
    • Other - We have experienced STRs on our block. They can have a negative affect on our neighborhoods sense of community. Also reduces housing opportunities for owner occupied homes which we prefer.
  • Do you agree or disagree with the following regarding Short-Term Rentals (STRs)?
    • STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees. - Agree
    • STRs should have a limit on the number of guests. - Agree
    • There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block). - Agree
    • The property owner should reside on-site. - Disagree
    • If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person. - Agree
    • The City should not regulate STRs. - Disagree
  • Short-Term Rentals should be allowed in the following locations. (select all that apply)
    • Low-density residential neighborhoods (mostly single-household)
    • Medium-density residential neighborhoods (some single-household, some multi-household properties)
    • High-density residential (mostly apartments, condos, multi-household properties)
    • Mixed-use areas (some residential, some commercial)
  • How often should Short-Term Rentals be inspected?
    • Annually
  • My primary reason for owning / operating a Short-Term Rental (STR) is...
    • I do not own / operate a STR.
    • Other - We have considered Airbnb if ever we are out of town for longer than a month to keep our home lived in.
  • Please share any additional comments.

    I personally think there is a greater negative impact on a neighborhood from college rentals than there is from STRs. While reading these survey questions and applying them to both, I realized I would far prefer STRs to college rentals on my block. We have experienced both over the 30 years we have lived in this neighborhood, and, looking back on the experience of each, this is my observation. When a property was used as a college rental there was no (apparent) attention paid by the rental agency or the landlord in keeping the occupants at the legal limit of four unrelated adults in a rental (do they care?). Properties fell into disrepair, there was a LOT of noise from weekend parties, increased litter, congested street due to four or more additional cars, often a dog for each college student with little regard for leash laws or picking up after them, and absolutely no sense of community.
    STRs were kept in good condition (both the house and the yard), they were rented by families who wanted to experience neighborhood life and had regard for their temporary neighbors, they were quiet, there was no increase in litter, there was generally one car per rental, and, if dogs were allowed, the STR renter was more inclined to pick up because they were mature and thoughtful people.
    There are always exceptions, of course. We've had college renters that we wanted to stay forever because they were so wonderful and I'm sure there are terrible STR renters, although I haven't heard of any.
    STRs are somewhat self-limiting, as they are rated by their guests. If the rental property is poorly maintained it will get low ratings and people will stop renting and the landlord will lose income. It is in the landlord’s best interest to keep the property rentable. Does this happen with college rentals? No matter how poorly maintained the college rental is it will ALWAYS be rentable due to the lack of rentals in close proximity to the university. As the university grows (and that is another source of contention), it will only get worse. How often does the city inspect long term rental properties? Some of the rentals I've been in should have been condemned as health and fire hazards!
    I do think STR should be limited—but by how much? One per block? If there are too many rental properties in the neighborhood it will certainly affect the sense of community that any neighborhood enjoys.

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Agree
Disagree
STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees.
STRs should have a limit on the number of guests.
There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block).
The property owner should reside on-site.
If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person.
The City should not regulate STRs.
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