🏨 Vacation Rentals, Hotels, and Business Parks, Oh My! – Skamania Cities Round-Up Jan '26

📝 Stevenson Planning Commission Recommends Vacation Rental Cap to Protect Housing Stock
January 2026 Planning Commission Summary

Facing mounting concerns over short-term rentals changing the character of Stevenson neighborhoods, the Planning Commission finalized its memo to City Council recommending stricter oversight of vacation rentals. Key proposals include:

🏡 Capping Vacation Rentals to Preserve Housing

The proposed policy would limit vacation rental licenses to no more than 5% of Stevenson’s single-family housing stock, recalculated every two years. The current estimate is that vacation rentals comprise around 2.5% of the stock, leaving room for additional applications. A waiting list system would be implemented once the cap is reached.

👥 Residency Requirement

Going forward, all new vacation rental licensees would need to be full-time residents of Stevenson. Existing non-resident owners would be grandfathered in, provided they register within 90 days of the new ordinance’s adoption and stay compliant with licensing.

🧯 Safety Rules and Reduced City Burden

The city will shift responsibility for fire and safety compliance to owners, ending the requirement for city-run inspections. Instead, owners must certify compliance with the Vacation Rental Fire Safety Checklist and maintain valid liability insurance that covers vacation rental use.

🧾 Additional Recommendations

• Occupancy limited to 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 extra.
• At least 1 off-street parking space per 2 bedrooms.
• Prohibition of commercial uses (e.g., retreats, events, parties).
• Licenses non-transferable and required annually for each unit.
• Complaints must be logged and responded to by the owner or their local contact.

Commissioners emphasized this was a "light-touch" approach, intended to proactively protect neighborhood character while allowing responsible rentals to continue.

💬 Public Comment: Mixed but Constructive

Several vacation rental operators attended to express concerns about administrative burden, overlapping state requirements, and what they see as a patchwork of enforcement. One operator said recent fire inspection rules felt like "a lot to take on someone’s back who’s just trying to get by." Commissioners responded that the memo does not include new inspection mandates, instead moving toward owner self-certification. Others pushed for clarity around licensing for ADUs and on-property units, ultimately affirming that each separate unit will require its own license.

💡 Broader Economic Development Concerns Raised

In the meeting’s closing discussion, commissioners and attendees shared frustrations with long-vacant commercial properties and speculators sitting on undeveloped lots. One local property owner shared how barriers like stormwater upgrades, financing gaps, and the fear of city permitting processes have delayed his redevelopment plans even when master plans exist. Commissioners acknowledged the need for future economic development tools and partnerships, and the potential value of inviting Mayor Jenny Taylor to an upcoming meeting to discuss shared planning priorities.

🔗Meeting Materials: https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/meetings?field_microsite_tid_1=28

---

🏛 Stevenson City Council – January 18, 2026

Stevenson kicked off the new year with a brief but significant meeting, adopting final budget amendments and touching on some big-picture infrastructure needs.

💰 2025 Budget Amendment Finalized
The council formally approved Resolution 2026-0435, finalizing the 2025 budget with a year-end cleanup. Adjustments included:

• Slightly lower beginning balances than expected
• Updated revenue projections for utility and general funds
• Final expenditure updates from department heads

📈 Property Tax Correction
Resolution 2026-0436 addressed a clerical issue in last year’s property tax levy, ensuring legal compliance. It restated the 2025 levy rates as passed in November.

🚧 Sewer + Infrastructure Planning
City Administrator Leana Kinley provided updates on grant planning for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, ongoing Downtown Stevenson Phase 3 construction, and the need to reallocate engineering funds to better match project timelines.

The city continues to weigh upcoming infrastructure needs and funding options, with capital planning expected to return in more detail during upcoming budget workshops.

📋 Contracts + Admin

• The mayor was authorized to sign a contract for staff training and development with leadership coach Julie De Yoe.
• Staff shared updates on new grant applications and interlocal agreements.

🔁 Next Steps
With the financial housekeeping in order, the council will next focus on finalizing its 2026 priorities, including long-range capital planning, public works upgrades, and expanding reporting on interlocal service agreements (a continuing theme from late 2025).

🔗Meeting materials: https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/meetings?field_microsite_tid_1=27

---

🏗️ Big Plans for North Bonneville’s Business District

Planning Commission Weighs Hotel + Industrial Park Proposal

At its January 6 meeting, the North Bonneville Planning Commission held a public hearing on a major proposed development from the Port of Skamania County: the Cascade Business Park, a 40-acre industrial site at the east end of town. The plan would develop approximately 11 acres into 200,000 square feet of industrial buildings and an 80-room hotel. While industrial use is permitted outright in the area’s zoning, the hotel would require conditional use approval.

The city issued a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) under SEPA, meaning the environmental review found no major negative impacts that couldn't be addressed with conditions.

Commissioners reviewed the Binding Site Plan and voted to recommend it to City Council. Public comment was invited during the hearing, and the commission also briefly discussed its current vacancy and need to fill open seats.

---

🏛 North Bonneville City Council – January 2026 Recap

📅 January 13, 2026 – Regular Meeting

Key Votes & Approvals

• Interlocal Law Enforcement Agreement: Council approved the 2026 contract with the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office for continued police services.
• Interlocal Fire Services Agreement: A renewed agreement was approved for fire protection services with Skamania County Fire District 2.
• Search & Rescue Use of Fire Station: Council signed an agreement allowing Skamania County Search and Rescue (SAR) non-exclusive use of the city fire station for training and administration. SAR will maintain the space and utilities will be shared.

Announcements & Updates

• Council discussed reformatting monthly meetings to streamline discussion items.
• Building Official Steve Sobotta presented updates on fire code alignment and permitting clarity.

---

📅 January 27, 2026 – Closed Record Public Hearing

Cascade Business Park Development – Final Approval

• The Council held a closed-record hearing to finalize its review of the Cascade Business Park development.
• They voted to:
  • Approve the Planning Commission’s binding site plan recommendation
  • Accept a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS)
  • Affirm the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) allowing a hotel on Industrial-zoned land

Project Highlights

• ~200,000 sq ft of new industrial buildings proposed
• 80-room hotel approved under CUP
• 11 acres of a 40-acre parcel developed
• 18 Conditions of Approval adopted, including:
  • Drainage and stormwater requirements
  • Street lighting compliance
  • Coordination with WA Dept. of Archaeology (DAHP) for cultural revi ews
  • Shared access management with adjacent parcels

🔗Meeting materials: https://northbonneville.net/government/council-meetings/