Carlton adopts rental agreements in appeal to tourism

The city of Carlton adopted first-time ordinances related to short-term vacation and camping rentals during its March city council meeting.

The unanimous approvals mean vacation and camping rentals will need to be permitted. Vacation rentals will be capped at five and feature quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Camping rentals must be on lots of 10 acres or more with no more than two sites. The applicant must also live on the property. A maximum of two short-term camping locations will be allowed in the city. The locations must also have campfire pits and feature no more than four people to a site.

Mayor Mike Soderstrom addressed the ordinances, saying the city was getting in front of the rental situations, which have grown immensely in popularity. Given Carlton’s position on the Willard Munger State Trail and proximity to Jay Cooke State Park, Soderstrom believed there would be an appetite for short-term rentals of all kinds.

“We wanted to have some controls in place to keep a lid on things from getting too big too fast,” Soderstrom said.

The city already features a camping rental operation, Allure of the Woods Rustic Retreat, with elaborate canvas tent rentals on two sites. There are no vacation rental properties available as yet, the mayor said.

“They’ve generated nothing but positive comments and no complaints,” Soderstrom said of Allure of the Woods, adding that it already meets the standard set in the new ordinance.

Unlike nearby Wrenshall, where a proposed camping rental ordinance has drawn the ire of community members and one campground operator, the Carlton measures passed without community hesitation.

“This was smooth,” Soderstrom said. “As far as I know, nobody complained to us.”

When it comes to the home-based vacation rental properties, the five-limit cap adds that no two locations can be within 500 feet of each other.

Depending on how things go, it might only be a first step.

“We started at five and obviously it can be adjusted,” Soderstrom said, noting a desire to review the ordinances every year or two.

The hope is that the permits will be filled.

“I’m sure hoping so,” Soderstrom said. “But you have to start somewhere. With our proximity to Jay Cooke … people outstate are looking for places to come and ride their bikes and stay. It’s something to get people here.”

By regulating the rentals, the city hopes to dampen a free-for-all atmosphere.

“We didn’t want a situation with lots of traffic,” Soderstrom said. “Sometimes those places can turn into party houses.”