Good morning,
Today, Austin City Council is scheduled to vote on a landmark ordinance that would completely repeal and replace the city's rules for short-term rentals (STRs). At the same time, Council will take its pivotal vote on the Statesman site rezoning, a decision that will set the course for downtown's connection to Lady Bird Lake for decades.
At a Glance
A vote is expected today on a complete overhaul of the city's STR regulations (Item 12).
The pivotal rezoning vote for the former Austin American-Statesman property will set a precedent for all waterfront development.
The new STR rules would impose strict spacing requirements and give the city stronger enforcement powers.
Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo would be required to verify licenses and remove illegal listings.
Today's Focus: The Proposed STR Crackdown
The STR ordinance being considered today is one of the most significant regulatory updates for the city's rental market in years. City staff have proposed it to address ongoing neighborhood complaints and to create a more enforceable system. If passed as written, here are the key changes:
New Density & Spacing Rules: A new STR license would not be issued if the property is within 1,000 feet of an existing STR. In buildings with four or more units, a single owner would be capped at operating 25% of the units as STRs.
Platform Accountability: Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo will be required to prominently display a valid license number on all listings. They must also remove any unlicensed property within a set timeframe upon city notification.
Stronger Enforcement: The ordinance gives city staff the authority to declare a property a "nuisance" and impose mitigation plans. It also formalizes a compliance system that functions like a "three-strikes" policy, leading to license revocation after repeated violations.
Existing Operators: Current licenses will remain valid until they expire. However, once a license lapses or is revoked, the property owner will be subject to all new eligibility and spacing rules to re-apply.
How This Affects You
If you are an STR operator: Your current license is safe for now, but you will face much stricter operating rules. If you plan to expand, the new 1,000-foot spacing rule could make it impossible in many areas.
If you live near an STR: These rules could give you and the city more power to address nuisance properties through the new three-strikes policy. The density caps are intended to preserve long-term housing in your neighborhood.
If you are a renter or homebuyer: Proponents argue that by limiting non-owner-occupied STRs, this ordinance could return hundreds of housing units to the long-term market, potentially easing pressure on housing availability and prices.
The Rundown
🏙️ Waterfront's Future: Council will also take its pivotal vote on the Statesman site rezoning today. This decision will set the precedent for all future development along Lady Bird Lake, impacting public parkland, traffic, and skyline views.
🚊 Project Connect: A critical land acquisition agreement for the new light rail system is also on the agenda. Approving this foundational step moves the multi-billion dollar transit expansion closer to becoming a reality.
By the Numbers
94%
According to city data cited in the STR proposal, that's the percentage of all STR-related complaints that are associated with unlicensed properties. The new platform accountability rules are designed specifically to target this issue by making it much harder for illegal operators to find customers.
The Civic Calendar
TODAY @ 10:00 AM: Austin City Council Meeting.
Key Items: STR Overhaul (Item 12), Statesman Rezoning, Project Connect Agreement.
Location: Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street.
Watch Online: The meeting can be streamed live on the ATXN Live Stream.
Note: While the meeting begins at 10 AM, major items like the STR vote are often scheduled for specific times. The agenda currently estimates Item 12 will be taken up around 4 PM, but this can change.
— The CivicIn7 Team
