Draper Residents Voice Concerns After Airbnb Fire

Neighbors in Draper, Utah, have expressed growing concerns regarding short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb, following a recent fire at one such property. Nick Porter shared a video on social media depicting small flames emanating from the front of the home.

Fire Investigation Underway

The Draper City Fire Department has confirmed it is actively investigating the cause of the fire. When questioned about the possibility of arson, officials stated they could neither confirm nor deny, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Neighbor's Statement Highlights Safety Concerns

The Porters, residents near the affected property, released a statement emphasizing the impact of the incident. “The fire next door made it personal. Our safety is now directly affected by someone else's business,” they stated. Their full statement reads:

“When an investor buys a home in a residential neighborhood and runs it as a full-time rental business with no on-site management, the neighbors become the unpaid complaint department. We are the ones documenting noise, calling the police, and dealing with strangers coming and going. The fire next door made it personal. Our safety is now directly affected by someone else’s business that they operate remotely with little accountability or oversight.”

“Require short-term rentals to be owner-occupied. No council would approve a hotel with no front desk, no on-site manager, and a phone number as its entire accountability plan. That is exactly how non-owner-occupied STRs operate today. An owner-occupancy requirement lets residents rent a room or guest suite while preventing homes from being converted into unmanaged commercial operations. Other cities in Utah have already done this. Draper should too.”

City Response and Current Regulations

2News inquired about Draper City’s current policies regarding short-term rentals and potential changes. City officials declined an interview but provided a written response stating, “Draper City does not currently regulate STRs. We do regulate how many dwelling units can be on a property, but not STRs.” They further reiterated this point when asked about future regulation.

Airbnb Listing Confirmed

Following the incident, 2News located an active listing on Airbnb’s website that appeared to match the property involved in the fire. The listing suggests the home was being operated as a short-term rental.

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