San Antonio moved forward Wednesday with plans to consider regulations for air-b-n-b’s
after a City Council committee recommended looking into restrictions for the short-term rentals of homes.
District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher brought the idea to City Council last month when constituents complained about loud parties in neighborhoods at homes rented through the internet.
Gallagher told council committee members if the city regulates hotels and motels for safety, it should consider regulations for short-term home rentals.
“If we’re going to be bringing customers into these homes, should we not have the same source of regulations we would have a in a motel, that there should be smoke detectors in there, that there should be some allowances for parking.”
Gallagher says home rental requirements could include a certificate of occupancy, minimum insurance, and registering with the city. District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran says without regulations the city may be losing out on hotel/motel taxes from these rentals.
“Many of our international travelers are coming here and staying in Air b-n-bs or short-term rentals, not necessarily our hotels anymore. So that’s a direct international hotel occupancy tax that is maybe not getting captured.”
Any proposed ordinance would go through hearings where people who rent out their homes or live in affected neighborhoods could weigh in. The full City Council could vote on an ordinance before summer.
