In February, the Austin City Council rewrote the rules governing short-term rentals (STRs) in Austin – and not in a good way. As part of these changes, they amended the land development code to allow STRs as an “accessory use” in all base residential zoning districts – including Single-Family. They declared that, with an operator’s license, “short-term rental use cannot be prohibited.” They did so over the opposition of the community and in contradiction of the City Council’s own findings that STRs “are predominantly located in single-family and multi-family neighborhoods” and replace long-term housing for residents, “which can impact housing affordability, neighborhood dynamics, and the quiet enjoyment of one’s home.” These are the Council’s words.
The Council is revisiting its proposed STR licensing regulations this Thursday (Agenda Item 12), but is still refusing to limit the number and location of STRs in any meaningful way. New “cannot be prohibited” STRs will replace available neighborhood housing, including naturally occurring affordable housing, thereby elevating the interests of investors over those of homeowners and long-term renters.
In February, the Council excused its failure to regulate the number and location of STRs because the Legislature was in session. The Legislature is no longer in session. The Council also claimed that three court cases tied their hands. This was demonstrated at the time to be false. It remains false today.
In February, the council delayed the implementation of the STR rules and code amendments until October 1st. Write to the Mayor, Council Members, and City Manager. Tell them that if this Council truly prioritizes housing for residents over hotels for investors, then it must extend the effective date of the proposed code changes to allow for meaningful revisions—ones that regulate not just the operation of STRs, but also their number and location, as permitted under current law.