Astoria is moving closer to restricting vacation rentals downtown and is weighing a potential license requirement for vacation rentals across the city to make code enforcement easier.

According to figures presented to the planning commission by Matt Brandmeyer, the city’s community development director, there are 35 vacation rental locations with 113 rooms — 0.8% of city households. The vacation rental figure includes roughly three dozen units envisioned — but not yet available — at the NorthPost Apartments under construction. There are 27 homestay lodging locations with 36 rooms — 0.6% of city households.

Vacation rentals, which do not require a license, are treated like hotels and motels in city code. Many existed before the city adopted vacation rental regulations in 2019.

Homestay lodging, which does require a license, involves the rental of up to two rooms in properties that are owner-occupied.

The city has a clear policy rationale for homestay lodging, which can help people afford to stay in their homes through rental income and preserve historic properties.

Brandmeyer said the policy rationale is less clear for vacation rentals. He said requiring a license for vacation rentals would enable the city to track the number and enforce safety and other standards.

“It would also give us the opportunity to either not renew it or revoke it and that’s part of the issue right now as far as our enforcement,” he said.

Planning commissioners appeared supportive of prohibiting vacation rentals in downtown storefronts, but want more information on licensing. Commissioners were also open to potentially tweaking homestay lodging to clarify whether owners have to occupy properties at the time of rental, which may help with enforcement.