Grapevine City Council adopted the ordinance that adds definitions for the zoning use of short-term rentals, establishes a permitting process and establishes parking requirements for short-term rentals during its Jan. 16 meeting. Short-term rentals are properties rented out temporarily, typically through services such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
What you need to know
The adopted regulations will restrict the operation of short-term rentals to certain zoning districts for multifamily housing. Operators of a short-term rental within an allowable district would be required to register for a conditional-use permit and an additional short-term rental permit through the city’s planning department, Director of Planning Services Erica Marohnic said.
Regulations were initially discussed during a workshop session in November before a public hearing to consider the ordinance was called in December.
The details
According to city documents outlining the ordinance, several regulations would be in place.
- Single-family residences cannot be used as short-term rentals.
- Short-term rentals could only be operated within apartment complexes with at least 50 units.
- No more than 3% of units within a complex could be operated as short-term rentals.
- Short-term rentals cannot be operated more than 180 days in a year.
- No amplified sounds or outdoor congregation would be allowed between 10 p.m.-9 a.m.
The permit fee for a short-term rental is $500 and would be valid for one year, per city documents. Individuals who have a permit revoked would be unable to apply for a new permit for two years.
What else?
According to city documents, there have been short-term rentals within Grapevine since 2017, but there was no permitted use within any zoning district. Several individuals spoke in favor of using property for short-term rentals, claiming they were being treated differently than permitted hotel uses that have a far greater presence in the city.
The residents also signaled their support for a greater compromise in regulations that would allow for the use of short-term rentals throughout the city.
“If we have to pay a permit fee, I’m OK with that,” said Wendy Bock, an individual who operates a short-term rental in Grapevine. “I just want to make sure that you all are treating everyone fairly.”
Other residents spoke in opposition to short-term rentals, citing noise concerns and a limited economic impact.
