Kevin Smith of Planning and Inspections presented a proposed zoning code definition to add 'short‑term rental' to Title 20. The draft definition covers residential lodging for periods of less than 30 consecutive days and applies the base residential zoning standards for single‑family homes, duplexes, accessory units, apartments or condominiums used for lodging. Smith said the intent is to clarify that short‑term rentals are not bed‑and‑breakfasts or hotels and that the council had directed staff to draft a definition; further regulation or registration was not directed at this stage.

Commissioners raised enforcement and nuisance concerns. Questions included whether dividing a house into multiple rentable units would be allowed under the base zoning standards, how the city would address one‑night party rentals or commercial‑style pool rentals, and whether homeowner‑association covenants or covenants and restrictions could impose limits beyond city code. Assistant City Attorney Russell Abel and planning staff said residential pool rentals that function as commercial pools are already illegal under current code and that staff had not found pervasive problems with short‑term rentals in El Paso; staff reported approximately 2,000 short‑term rentals operating in the city with minimal crime reports.

Commissioner concerns included whether the definition would enable tax or investment‑style uses without community contributions; staff responded that additional regulation could be considered if documented nuisances or crime patterns emerged. The commission moved to add the short‑term rental definition to the zoning code; the motion passed by voice vote. No operational registration, tax or enforcement program was adopted at this hearing.