Council has discussed the issue of regulating short-term rentals throughout several regular meetings, including a Sept. 19 presentation that underwent several details of the ordinance.
“As most of the council has stated, ... I think this is an excellent first step,” Mayor Paul Voelker said during the Sept. 19 City Council meeting.
Short-term rentals are defined in the ordinance as residential properties that are rented for no longer than 30 consecutive days. Short-term rentals apply to residential properties, including a single-family dwelling or multiunit buildings, including apartments. Short-term rental companies, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, often rent out houses and apartments to those visiting certain cities.
City Manager Don Magner said the ordinance was the best manner of regulating these short-term rentals as it is not legally possible to ban them as several citizens have publicly asked council to do.
Key highlights of the new ordinance include:
- Registration is required by short-term rental owners.
- A local responsible party will be designated to be on-site within one hour to address property issues.
- Guests will be notified of certain safety and other information, including contact information for the local responsible party.
- City restrictions regarding noise, parking and trash were set.
- A registration revocation and appeals process was established.
- A violation of any terms or provisions of the ordinance shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $2,000 for each offense.
Council also established an annual short-term rental registration application fee of $75. The application process is expected to be available online by the end of the year with the new ordinance taking effect Jan. 1.
More information about the new short-term rental ordinance can be found by calling Richardson's Community Services Department at 972-744-4180.
