Overview — Are STRs allowed in Kamas?

• Existing STRs may continue as nonconforming uses if the operator provides evidence of prior established and continuous use within 30 days of the ordinance’s effective date; otherwise, the use is considered abandoned.
• New STR licenses are paused under a moratorium while the city develops longer‑term regulations.
• Operators must obtain a city business license and comply with the municipal transient room tax (TRT) and state tax reporting.
• Bed‑and‑breakfast (B&B) establishments remain allowed under existing rules.

Market Entry — How to start a short‑term rental business in Kamas

• Phase 1 — Determine eligibility
  • If you operated an STR in Kamas before adoption of Chapter 15.39 (effective immediately), you may continue as a nonconforming use by applying for a city business license and submitting evidence of prior established and continuous use within 30 days.
  • If you do not have prior established use, new STR licenses are currently on hold. Monitor city updates for a future framework (e.g., neighborhood caps, point systems).
• Phase 2 — Compliance setup
  • Secure a local point of contact or property manager; municipalities generally cannot require owner residency but may require a local contact.
  • Maintain documentation that qualifies as “substantial evidence” of prior use or ongoing operation (see Required documents).
  • Prepare for tax filings: municipal TRT and state sales/use tax compliance will be expected as part of licensing and reporting.
• Phase 3 — Licensing
  • Apply via the city’s existing business license process, providing the required evidence checklist that staff will publish online.
• Phase 4 — Ongoing operations
  • Track enforcement changes, tax remittances, and city announcements while the planning commission and council develop fuller STR rules.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City business license application (Kamas)
• Evidence of prior established and continuous STR use (examples include:
  • Historic listing pages (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
  • Redacted bank statements or documentation of rental income
  • Municipal TRT reports and state tax commission reports, where available)
• Designation of a local contact or property manager
• Confirmation of B&B status if applicable (B&Bs are separately permitted and not subject to the STR moratorium)
• Compliance with municipal TRT and state tax reporting as part of licensing and operations
• Adherence to staff guidance and future regulations as they are adopted

Specific regulations — City (Kamas), County (Summit), and State (Utah)

• Kamas City (Summit County)
  • Allowed uses and grandfathering: Existing STRs can continue as nonconforming uses if the operator provides evidence of prior established and continuous use within 30 days; lack of use for more than one year constitutes abandonment.
  • Moratorium on new STR licenses: No new licenses are being issued while the city and planning commission develop longer‑term rules.
  • Business license requirement: All STR operators claiming grandfathered status must apply for a city business license and submit evidence; staff will post application procedures and an evidence checklist online.
  • Enforcement data: The ordinance allows use of municipal TRT and state tax commission reports as additional enforcement data, alongside listing evidence.
  • Local manager: The city may require a local point of contact for compliance and response.
  • B&B carve‑out: Bed‑and‑breakfast establishments remain allowed under their current rules.
  • Development context: Ordinance passed March 11, 2025; staff directed to return with fuller regulatory framework and enforcement details.
• Summit County (unincorporated areas)
  • Licensing requirement: Current county rules require business licenses for STRs (Airbnb/VRBO).
  • ADU restriction: STRs are effectively banned in accessory dwelling units.
  • Enforcement ramp‑up: The county has hired a code enforcement officer and contracted software to improve STR license organization and enforcement; officials will use online listings as evidence to support enforcement actions.
  • Rule updates: A county subcommittee is updating STR rules and aims to adopt changes before year‑end. Only a fraction of STRs are currently licensed; enforcement will gather data to inform the final framework.
• Utah State
  • House Bill 256 (2025): Municipalities and counties may use online STR listings as evidence that a short‑term rental occurred, provided they have additional supporting information indicating a violation of local ordinances. This strengthens enforcement leverage statewide.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• Kamas City Hall
  • Address: 126 North澄清 Boulevard (Confusion in source; please verify via the city’s official website)
  • Phone: Not provided in the source documents; please call Summit County information or check the city’s website for current details
  • Email: Not provided in the source documents; the recorder’s email is not clearly listed in the materials
  • Planning/STR inquiries: Contact the City Planner or Planning Commission (staff were directed to publish application procedures and checklists)
  • Website: See “Links to source pages”
• Summit County (unincorporated STRs and enforcement)
  • Office: Deputy County Manager’s office; Code Enforcement division (recently hired code enforcement officer)
  • Email: Not provided in the source documents
  • Phone: Not provided in the source documents
  • Website: See “Links to source pages”
  • STR software/software vendor referenced: Azora Software (county is deploying technology to track and enforce STR licenses)

Links to source pages

• Citizen Portal article — Council adopts short‑term rental ordinance with grandfathering and business‑license requirement (Kamas)
  citizenportal.ai/articles/6640213/Kamas/Summit-County/Utah/Council-adopts-shortterm-rental-ordinance-with-grandfathering-and-businesslicense-requirement
• KPCW — Summit County may update short‑term rental rules before end of year
  www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2025-07-01/summit-county-may-update-short-term-rental-rules-before-end-of-year
• Park Record — Kamas aims to buttress informal short‑term rental ban (H.B. 256 context)
  www.parkrecord.com/2025/02/06/kamas-works-to-enforce-regulations-and-solidify-short-term-rental-ban
• KPCW — Kamas pauses new short‑term rentals, adds tax for guests
  www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2025-03-17/kamas-pauses-new-short-term-rentals-adds-tax-for-guests

Note: The Utah state bill text (House Bill 256) is referenced in local coverage; for the definitive bill language and status, consult the Utah Legislature website.