During a recent city council meeting, discussions centered on proposed changes to the short-term rental ordinance, which has been a contentious issue in the community. The council is considering legislation that would eliminate the current limitation of one short-term rental license per owner, marital community, and parcel. This change would allow existing owners who were compliant with previous regulations to apply for additional licenses, provided they meet specific criteria.

The background of the discussion dates back to March 2017, when the city council passed Ordinance 3577, establishing zoning-based criteria for short-term rentals without restrictions on the number of units an owner could operate. This was followed by Ordinance 3728 in March 2024, which introduced detailed regulations, including a cap of 200 licenses for type two rentals and a requirement for licensing and inspections.

If the proposed legislation is approved, a limited application window will open from August 26 to September 6 for eligible owners to submit applications for additional licenses. Currently, there are 165 type two applicants, and it is estimated that around 25 additional licenses could be granted under the new proposal.

Council members expressed a range of opinions on the proposed changes. Some, like Council Member Brendan, voiced concerns about revisiting the issue, emphasizing the importance of the original compromise that limited licenses to one per owner. Others, such as Council Member Lindsey, argued that the proposal is a necessary cleanup to address property rights and allow existing businesses to continue operating legally.

The council is expected to conduct a first reading of the ordinance, waive the second reading, and potentially adopt the changes, which would also include provisions ensuring that the rights to additional licenses do not transfer to new owners if properties are sold. The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the landscape of short-term rentals in the city, as it seeks to balance the interests of current operators with community concerns about the proliferation of rental units.