Hello,

We appreciate the work NFH is doing re the 2 permit changes that were found and removed by the USFS after discussion with NFH. We had previously asked here about the 5 month time limit and received a prompt and informative quick response, thank you NFH! But we weren't aware, at that time, about the clause regarding a national rental policy. Does anyone have info about what that new rental clause stated and, if NFH has advocacy on this, what is NFH requesting instead? We would be concerned if an updated policy loosened the rental rules. We would not mind sticking to the incidental, USFS approved rental that would cover permit cost. We do believe that there are unapproved "rentals" happening regardless of the official policy, but there is a difference between unapproved quiet, intermittent friends and family "rentals" and the type of rental traffic that could happen with a broader official USFS approval for rentals.

Appreciate any light that can be shed on this issue.

Liz and David

Shoshone National Forest, WY

The Forest Service added language to the permit which defined "incidental" renting as no more than 30 days per year with prior permission.  NFH's primary objection was this change was made without going through the required Federal process of posting for public comment. We wanted to be consistent with our reason for objecting to the limitation on occupancy. The FS agreed and removed the unlawful incidental rental language.

Some of us think a simple and nationally consistent limit of no more than 30 days has some merit and is worth discussing further with the Forest Service. Currently, each FS Region determines their own definition of incidental renting.  R5 limits to no more than 14 days.  R6 limits incidental renting by stating the annual rental revenue cannot exceed the annual cost of maintaining the cabin, not counting the the annual permit fee, taxes, or utilities expenses. We find the R6 method administratively burdensome with required annual reporting of accounting for revenue and expenses. Other regions have different rules, including one Region which does not allow any renting at all. We plan to discuss this concept further with the FS and possibly implement a change using the required regulatory process.

We have also heard increasing reports of rental abuse by a small number of cabin owners.  In many cases, it requires the neighboring cabin owners to bring to the attention of the FS for enforcement of the incidental rental rules.

We welcome additional opinions regarding the incidental rental rules with the intent of coming up with a simple, fair, and easy to administer set of rules.

Doug Gann, Past NFH President

Thank you for your quick response and detailed information! We weren't aware that the current rental rules are regional policies. We'd be interested to hear what other members think about this issue and look forward to official updates as this process moves along. Thanks again, Doug.