South Haven has extended its moratorium on new short-term rentals for another six months while the city council discusses new zoning rules.

City manager Kate Hosier tells us the city council approved this extension at Monday’s meeting.

“This moratorium would continue the existing moratorium that was imposed in June that prohibits the issuance of new personal STR units from being registered and starting their STR rentals,” Hosier says. 

 Member Joe Resser stated that he wants the council to make the best decision regarding short-term rentals (STRs) for both personal and business interests.

“And if that means a moratorium to make this right, I’d rather do that,” Resser said. “I’ve been on city council six years wrestling with short-term rentals, and I think we’re getting close, and I think what we’re proposing is better than we would have done months ago. So I don’t think at the finish line we want to hesitate and not make a moratorium.”

The city council, along with the city attorney and the planning commission, will continue to work on a new ordinance. Proposed changes to the ordinance could include the elimination of the current ratio and the establishment of a cap.