District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo was joined by some fellow council members and Austin residents who are concerned about those who abuse the short term rental law.[/caption]
An effort to strengthen enforcement on short-term rentals is now in motion.
District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo will present a resolution June 18 to City Council that, if approved, directs city staff to find flaws in the short-term rental system that may allow a few "bad apples" to spoil the quality of life in some neighborhoods.
"I wish to be very clear that it is not our intention to compromise the existing short-term rental ordinance or to disrupt the vast majority of short-term rentals whose owners are operated in compliance with code and ordinance," Gallo said. "When operated in compliance, short-term rentals are a substantial benefit to the city of Austin."
Residents from various parts of Austin attended Gallo's press conference to provide more information about the upcoming resolution. They said homes within their neighborhoods have been advertised as short-term rentals that can host weddings, parties and other events. When some neighbors have approached the people utilizing the space, they are met with verbal threats or hostile behavior, according to the residents who spoke at the press conference.
Residents who have called police about disturbances from short-term rentals said they are told police cannot enter the property without a warrant and cannot stop the activities because there is no life-threatening situation.
There are 1,247 licensed short term rentals in Austin, Austin Rental Alliance President Joel Rasmussen said. He said he has no way of knowing how many licensed or unlicensed homeowners are violating city law on short-term rentals.
"[Austin's ordinance] has been so effective that it's currently held up as the best practice by other cities around the U.S. and around the world," Rasmussen said. "Short-term rentals are a vital and necessary piece of the Austin economy. We house neighbors during remodel, visiting family members from out of town, job seekers and homebuyers, state legislators and visiting professors."
Short-term rentals also provide temporary spaces for those dislocated by disasters, Rasmussen said.
Any staff recommendations, should the resolution be approved, would come back to City Council by mid-August, Gallo said. Mayor Steve Adler and Council Members Sabino "Pio" Renteria, Ellen Troxclair and Ann Kitchen were present at the press conference to show their support for the resolution.
District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo was joined by some fellow council members and Austin residents who are concerned about those who abuse the short term rental law.[/caption]
An effort to strengthen enforcement on short-term rentals is now in motion.
District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo will present a resolution June 18 to City Council that, if approved, directs city staff to find flaws in the short-term rental system that may allow a few "bad apples" to spoil the quality of life in some neighborhoods.
"I wish to be very clear that it is not our intention to compromise the existing short-term rental ordinance or to disrupt the vast majority of short-term rentals whose owners are operated in compliance with code and ordinance," Gallo said. "When operated in compliance, short-term rentals are a substantial benefit to the city of Austin."
Residents from various parts of Austin attended Gallo's press conference to provide more information about the upcoming resolution. They said homes within their neighborhoods have been advertised as short-term rentals that can host weddings, parties and other events. When some neighbors have approached the people utilizing the space, they are met with verbal threats or hostile behavior, according to the residents who spoke at the press conference.
Residents who have called police about disturbances from short-term rentals said they are told police cannot enter the property without a warrant and cannot stop the activities because there is no life-threatening situation.
There are 1,247 licensed short term rentals in Austin, Austin Rental Alliance President Joel Rasmussen said. He said he has no way of knowing how many licensed or unlicensed homeowners are violating city law on short-term rentals.
"[Austin's ordinance] has been so effective that it's currently held up as the best practice by other cities around the U.S. and around the world," Rasmussen said. "Short-term rentals are a vital and necessary piece of the Austin economy. We house neighbors during remodel, visiting family members from out of town, job seekers and homebuyers, state legislators and visiting professors."
Short-term rentals also provide temporary spaces for those dislocated by disasters, Rasmussen said.
Any staff recommendations, should the resolution be approved, would come back to City Council by mid-August, Gallo said. Mayor Steve Adler and Council Members Sabino "Pio" Renteria, Ellen Troxclair and Ann Kitchen were present at the press conference to show their support for the resolution.
