Plano nears action on short-term rentals following task force findings

The recommendations were then taken by staff, who used them to create the outline of a registration program that will be presented to council later this month and potential zoning regulations that were shared with the city’s planning and zoning commission.

“I’m excited that we have some good data to sink our teeth into, and I’m hopeful that we can make some sound policy decisions,” council member Anthony Ricciardelli said.

The details

As part of the policies presented to the planning and zoning commission during its March 18 meeting, city staff outlined potential zoning definitions for three different types of short-term rentals, a registration requirement for all short-term rentals and codifying short-term rentals in operation prior to the interim ban as legacy uses provided they remain actively listed.

Plano Land Records Planning Manager Christina Sebastian said some short-term rental uses will require live-in management, while others can be managed by individuals who do not live within the rental unit. There will be three categories of short-term rentals, she added.

• One-bedroom rentals, which require a manager living on-site and are allowed without a specific-use permit within zoning districts permitting single-family residences
• Two- to five-bedroom rentals, which also require a manager living at the rental and require a specific-use permit to operate within residential zoning districts or are allowed without a permit in areas allowing bed-and-breakfasts or hotels
• Vacation rentals, which allow an entire unit containing five or fewer bedrooms to be rented out in zoning districts that allow hotel or motel uses and do not require a manager to live within the unit

What’s next?

The planning and zoning commission is expected to consider zoning regulations during a public hearing April 1. Any recommendations will likely be heard during the April 22 council meeting.

City staff plans to brief council members about a rental registration program during the March 25 meeting.