Lawrence planning commission recommends approval of city’s first short-term rentals where owner lives off-site

Permits for the city’s first short-term rentals where the property owner lives elsewhere received their first approvals at City Hall on Wednesday.

At its regular meeting, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission voted to recommend for approval the first nonowner-occupied short-term rentals under the city’s newly created licensing program. Commissioners considered four permit requests and recommended that all four be approved.

In September, the Lawrence City Commission voted to begin regulating Airbnb properties and other short-term rentals, including a process that would require a review from the Planning Commission and the City Commission before a property owner who resides elsewhere could operate such a business.

Read more: LJWorld.com.