GEARHART — The city of Gearhart sent notices to property owners late last month to notify residents of upcoming changes to the zoning code. They suggest a new short-term lodging rental policy that could lead to a lottery system like that in place in Cannon Beach, with limits on occupancy, parking restrictions and a requirement for emergency contact information.

The number of vacation rentals could be capped at 35 properties. There are 87 short-term rentals currently..

The rules are still in the discussion phase, and subject to change, City Administrator Chad Sweet said Thursday.

”Planning Commission and City Council are trying to minimize the impact of short-term rentals,” he said. “What seems to be happening is we see a growth of short-term rentals over the last two years that has brought this to a head.”

The nine-page document sent to Gearhart homeowners lists topics discussed in work sessions, including limits to transient occupancy and parking, neighbor notice and rules mandating garbage and septic service.

The code proposes a lottery system similar to Cannon Beach’s to limit the number of short-term rentals, capping the number at 35.

Short-term rental permits would not be transferable. When a permit is revoked, the city would accept a new application by drawing from a waiting list of interested property owners.

Names of potential permit-holders would be drawn randomly. If a property owner can’t obtain a permit within 180 days, a new name would be drawn.

The code also specifies the dwelling “not exceed one individual tenancy within seven consecutive days.”

No additional occupancy, with the exception of the property owner or their guests, would be permitted within the seven-day period.

Transient-lodging owners must also provide a designated representative’s name, physical address, email address and phone number, and must be available at all times to “ensure a response to complaints regarding emergencies and the condition, operation, or conduct of the occupants.”

Owners would be required to provide neighbors within a 200-foot radius with contact information, a parking plan and the city website where the information is also posted.

“Good neighbor” policies and emergency information would also be required.

Sweet said the city is receiving letters on the short-term rental issue every day.

One letter in the Wednesday City Council packet urged the board to “enact regulations that are being considered.”

Another advised the council to consider the noise, safety and destruction of “the neighborhood fabric,” as a result of short-term rentals.

Property owners and renters opposed to new rules said “a few disgruntled homeowners does not a problem make.”

Others asked the council to consider “responsible homeowners who care about Gearhart, their neighbors and take rentals seriously.”

Sweet said he expects up to 50 people at Thursday’s 6 p.m. meeting at the firehouse — chosen as a location because of the anticipated larger crowd.

“I think people should participate, based on two of the more restrictive items in the proposal draft, only 35 available permits and seven-day reservation blocks,” Sweet said. “That was added on fairly recently.”

As for the rules that will eventually be adopted, “Anything is an option,” he said.

“This is where we’re starting the discussion for the public meeting,” Sweet said. “We’ll see what survives and gets forwarded to the City Council. There will be meat left on the bone for the Planning Commission to adjust prior to pushing it up to the council.”