After seven months of discussion, the Town of Blue River has officially approved a new short term rental ordinance that will take effect at the end of the year. Town officials emphasized that STRs operate as businesses and create impacts that are different from typical single family residential use and so they are implementing a new ordinance with the intention of minimizing disturbances caused by short-term rentals while understanding the tourism and STR guests are vital to our local economy. The primary goal of the ordinance is to balance reasonable opportunities for STR owners with the need to protect neighborhood character, wildlife, and the natural environment.

This summary is based on my personal notes taken during the Blue River public meeting (11/18/2025) where the ordinance was discussed and passed, as well as my review of the ordinance text itself.