In response to speakers from the last Town Council meeting regarding the nuisance ordinance, Ms. McGinn stated the towns of Flagstaff and Tempe enacted nuisance ordinances to deal with college students. Is there a difference between 100 drunk college students versus 100 drunk wedding guests? She failed to mention Scottsdale specifically prohibits non-residential uses for short-term rentals including banquets and events. Arizona law specifically states towns may adopt ordinances related to noise and nuisance of short-term rentals. The law protecting short-term rentals specifically excludes units used for nonresidential uses such as events.

Mr. Rutkowski expressed concerns regarding parties at his residence with over 100 people. Would the nuisance ordinance prohibit this? His parties were for his friends/families. Did his parties last three days, include vulgar rap music playing for 12 hours, have sound and light systems, a DJ and guests screaming at 1a.m.? Did his parties repeat weekend after weekend? I would hope the responding Sheriff could discriminate between a one-time event versus repeated calls to the same residence every weekend.

Mr. Jones correctly stated there is a difference between “Animal House” bookings, wedding bookings and traditional Airbnb bookings. He questioned whether the Sheriff is adequately responding to these issues. The last party had by the Sheriff’s estimate over 150 people partying at 12:45a.m. Are legitimate businesses in town allowed to have music and patrons outdoors at this time?

I have no issue with a party at a residence for their family/friends once or twice a year. My issue is with a rental describing itself as one of the few to allow weddings and other events. The owner of this unit is providing an event venue in a private residence. Town zoning ordinances specifically prohibit this. Why is this not being enforced?