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��.ra�u„�u��s ru�es ior snart-ierm nome rentals http:Ue.starnibune.com/Olive/TableUStarTribune/SharedArticle.aspx?h.. St. Paul mulls rules for short-term home rentals Mpls. to stand pat, for now, as their popularity grows. BYJESS/E VAN BERKEL JESSIE.VANBERKEL(a�STARTR/BUNE COM ON THE TABLE • Change the zoning code to permit the short-term rentals, which are currently not allowed • Ensure state and local taxes are collected • Regulate rental properties to make sure they are safe • Use complaints to inform future rules St. Paul officials aren't sure how many rooms and homes across the city are being rented out to visitors through online companies like Airbnb or VRBO — but they want to find out and may add regulations to ensure property owners are keeping visitors and residents safe, and paying taxes. The City Council voted Wednesday to create a work group of rental property hosts, city staff and other members of the hospitality industry. The group will spend the next four months developing standards and rules for the short-term rentals and working with the rental companies to create a mechanism to ensure taxes are collected. Council Member Chris Tolbert prompted the city's dive into the issue. Tolbert, who has used Airbnb, said the rental properties are a "great asset" to the city, but they need to be safe and owners should be required to play by the same rules as classic bed-and-breakfasts. Technically, he added, the short-term rentals are not permitted under the city's existing zoning rules, and this would change that. Other council members said they were hesitant to dedicate staff time and money to the topic, and noted that Minneapolis is not adding regulations. Minneapolis is aware that homes and buildings throughout the city are being rented out but does not plan to add new rules because the rentals do not seem to be causing problems, according to a St. Paul staff report. St. Paul has also not experienced many complaints from residents or visitors about the rentals already (�'c-��r�,,,"� 5-f a,..r��.��s �r ��-,,c�e r L�c v�;e� �s n o., -�w�' of 3 7/7/2016 9:26 AM