DEPARTMENT: Development Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Michael Shannon, PE, CBO
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on an ordinance to amend Chapter 16 and Chapter 35 of the San Antonio City Code relating to Short Term Rentals.
SUMMARY:
A Council Consideration Request (CCR) was sponsored by former Councilman Mike Gallagher on January 26, 2017, to review current ordinances and city code procedures for short term rentals. With direction from the Governance Committee on March 22, 2017, the Development Services Department (DSD) facilitated an extensive public meeting and stakeholder input process to develop a proposed ordinance that creates the registration, inspections, and special exception process of short term rentals (STRs) in the City. The ordinance was discussed at a number of task force meetings, general meetings, individual meetings, and neighborhood meetings. In addition, this item was presented for a briefing to the full City Council at B-Session on April 11, 2018, and the Council provided feedback relating to modifications and clarifications that they would like to see included. Any proposed changes and new ordinance language related to STRs requires City Council consideration and approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The CCR requested staff review five (5) elements: 1) Research if short term rentals impact property values and neighborhood safety statistics. 2) Review how cities have updated municipal codes or ordinances to allow this industry to operate. 3) Review options for registering STRs and permitting options. 4) Research if short term rentals should be required to remit hotel occupancy taxes, also referred to as "HOT". 5) Determine policies and procedures to enhance public safety in the short term rental industry.
The concept of renting rooms or homes on a short term basis is not new. However, new online services that facilitate short term rentals have led to a rapid proliferation of home sharing as an alternative to more tradit...
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