Ketchum eyes avalanche-zone rental homes

KETCHUM, Idaho – Officials in the central Idaho town of Ketchum have approved doing an inventory of homes within avalanche zones not engineered to withstand avalanches and discussing the appropriate restrictions as rentals.

The Idaho Mountain Express reported the Ketchum City Council on Monday approved the inventory work by city workers.

City officials said they’ve identified 132 single-family homes in avalanche zones.

Officials said some homes not engineered to withstand avalanches have already been rented out despite a city ordinance prohibiting that.

City officials said it’s not clear that renters understand the risk of living in a home in an avalanche area that can’t withstand an avalanche.