The Soldotna City Council voted Wednesday to delay until January a public hearing and vote on proposed changes to the section of city code regulating accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in city limits. The regulations, if passed, would limit the use of accessory dwelling units as short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb and Vrbo.

The Soldotna City Council in October approved a new section of city code that outlines regulations for accessory dwelling units, with the goal of expanding and diversifying the city’s housing inventory. An accessory dwelling unit is a subordinate, detached dwelling unit located on a lot or parcel with an existing residence.

The changes to that section of city code, proposed by council member Jordan Chilson, would prohibit ADUs from being used as short-term rentals in Soldotna’s single-family, single-family/two-family and multi-family residential zoning districts. Also, within the city’s rural residential zoning district, a parcel with an ADU could be used as a short-term rental, as long as either the ADU or principal dwelling unit is owner-occupied.

The additional time between the ordinance’s introduction and vote, Chilson said last Wednesday, will give the Soldotna Planning and Zoning Commission additional time to review the impact to city code.

The public hearing and final vote on those proposed changes will be held during the council’s Jan. 11, 2023, meeting. Last Wednesday’s Soldotna City Council meeting can be streamed on the city’s website at soldotna.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.