By Edmond Ortiz
Converse is the latest community to adopt formal rules on short-term rentals.
What you should know
City Council unanimously voted Sept. 1 to approve a second and final reading of an ordinance that amends the city code to permit the establishment of local laws affecting the operation of short-term rentals.
Development Services Director Henry Couch said the city sought to officially introduce regulations in order to find out how many short-term rentals are functioning inside city limits, and to ensure those venues are operating safely for property owners and guests alike.
Current and future short-term rental operators are to be permitted with the city, and registered with the Texas comptroller’s office.
Through the latter, an STR operator can collect the state-required hotel occupancy tax that is applicable to rentals costing $15 or more daily, plus a percentage charged by the city.
Additionally, city inspectors can examine Converse’s short-term rentals, of which 30 are estimated to exist in town according to a recent review of Airbnb.com properties, Couch said.
Airbnb carries more than 82,000 active short-term rental properties across Texas. STR’s have grown popular with travelers seeking alternatives to traditional lodgings, and with property owners wanting another source of personal revenue.
However, in many communities, short-term rentals have caused controversy with neighbors who complain about noise and traffic around such properties, prompting some cities such as New Braunfels to ban STRs in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Other cities such as San Antonio enforce strict limits on non-owner-occupied rentals. Castle Hills officials earlier this year revised their short-term rental regulations.
What they are saying
City officials said they are glad that the local government is getting a handle on short-term rentals in order to protect operators, guests, and neighbors.
“I think it’s important from a safety perspective, but it is also a good revenue source for Converse,” Councilmember Jessica Hannah said about the short-term rental ordinance at the Aug. 18 council meeting.
