Wayzata City Council — Transcript
Monday, November 2, 2026
Zoning Text Amendments to Prohibit Short-Term Rentals (STRs)
Formation of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee
Votes (2)
Zoning Text Amendments to Chapters 902 and 937 (Short-Term Rentals)
Dissent: None
Moved by Sieperson [0:23:25] · Seconded by Ankeny [0:23:35]
Staff presented a comprehensive background on the city's attempts to regulate STRs, including prior ordinances, legal challenges, and the current 12-month moratorium. The proposed amendments aim to explicitly prohibit STRs in all zoning districts through definitions and use tables. Public speakers expressed strong support for the ban, detailing issues like noise, traffic, and loss of neighborhood character due to frequent turnover of occupants. The City Attorney clarified the legal landscape, stating that licenses are not entitlements and the city's appeal process, and that combining zoning with licensing provides a stronger regulatory framework. Commissioners agreed that STRs are not consistent with residential neighborhood character.
2050 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee
Dissent: None
Moved by Ankeny [0:26:40] · Seconded by Sieperson [0:26:54]
Planner Anna Keyser outlined the process for updating the city's comprehensive plan from 2040 to 2050, a significant 1.5-year undertaking involving community engagement. The proposed advisory committee would consist of representatives from the Planning Commission, City Council, Parks and Trails Board, and potentially residents at large. Commissioners were invited to express interest in serving on the committee, with an estimated commitment of six meetings over the timeline. The Commission proceeded to nominate and recommend members.
Notable Quotes (6)
The purpose of the proposed zoning amendments this evening is to follow City Council direction in prohibiting short-term rentals or STRs in Wayzata through the city's zoning ordinance. If approved, the effect of these zoning ordinance would be an outright ban of STRs as a use in the city.
the key thing is that the short-term rentals affect the character of a neighborhood and when we moved there, we understood it was zoned residential and didn't think we had to worry about having businesses immediately adjacent to our home.
People should not be allowed to market their homes for one, two-night, three-nights stays. If people want to rent long-term, that's totally fine... It's about people overtaking streets, lots of cars parked outside, loud noises. You don't know who's there.
licenses and permits are not an entitlement. Um, you know, you you have to meet criteria every year to have your license renewed. Um, the reason existing um short-term rentals licenses uh are can exist for for something like this is simply because that case is still pending.
there's nothing really charming about having transitory neighbors. Um there's nothing frankly rather residential about it either, right? I mean residential is some place that you live, not some place that you stay.
The comp plan itself is a very broad, wide-ranging, um long-range planning document. Really to kind of set up the framework and vision for the city of Wayzata of how we want to look the city to look in 10 years, 20 years, 30 years from now.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
City Code chapter proposed for amendment to define short-term rentals.
City Code chapter proposed for amendment regarding the use table and performance standards to prohibit short-term rentals.
Previous city ordinance defining STRs as residential rentals less than 1 month, requiring a license.
City Council ordinance that prohibited short-term rentals under rental dwelling licensing regulations, later ruled unenforceable by Hennepin County District Court.
The proposed amendments under review tonight to prohibit STRs.
The city's current long-range planning document.
The upcoming updated long-range planning document for the city.
A Conditional Use Permit for the replacement of two monument signs at Redeemer Lutheran Church, approved on the consent agenda.