The details
Within 90 days, existing short-term rental operators must apply for a permit and pay the $150 permit fee, according to the ordinance. The permit will be valid for 12 months from issue date.
Permits will be required for each individual short-term rental, and operating a short-term rental without a permit will be unlawful, according to the ordinance.
Within 30 days after owners apply, city officials will perform an on-site inspection to determine the short-term rental’s maximum occupancy and parking on-site that meets property health and safety standards, according to the ordinance.
According to the ordinance, requirements needed to operate a short-term rental property include:
- Working smoke alarms
- Working carbon monoxide detectors on each floor if the property has natural gas, propane or an attached garage
- Windows in each bedroom
- Gas appliances being vented outside
What else?
The ordinance will also allow the city to collect hotel occupancy tax from short-term rental properties, according to the agenda packet.
Additionally, as part of the ordinance, the city must have a website that lists all the permitted short-term rental properties in Magnolia.
The background
Discussion on the ordinance began in September after Rachel Steele, the executive director of the Magnolia Economic Development Corp., expressed concerns about the rise in short-term rental properties between November and March.
Neighboring cities like Tomball have a similar ordinance in place, per prior reporting.
Learn more
View the ordinance below.
