Owners of short-term rental (STR) units in Boerne received good news from City Council last Tuesday as it voted unanimously to support an updated STR that grandfathers all current permit holders.
In areas zoned for residential use, an STR cannot operate within 200 feet of another STR on the same street, unless already grandfathered.
Properties zoned for commercial use with the city’s Historic, Downtown and River Road overlay districts have no separation requirements.
Assistant City Manager Kristy Stark led council through a review of previous STR meeting requests and brought forth the changes outlined by council.
“City Council and staff developed the updated ordinance to balance the safe operation of STRs in Boerne with the preservation of the city’s charm and community feel,” Stark said.
After a half-hour of discussion, Mayor Frank Ritchie said the regulation helps the city maintain “that community vibe.”
“One of the things we’re really trying to do here, is remember that we are a community, and we want to make sure that we keep that community vibe,” he said. “I’d rather be proactive than reactive, before it becomes a problem.”
Councilman Joseph Macaluso outlined the problem he perceived the ordinance addresses.
“There are people whose business it is, to buy properties and do STRs,” Macaluso said. “If that’s my business and I own X, Y or Z shops, if I want to get bigger ... I want to buy more homes and make them STRs. So that does create a problem.
“This has never been about the person who rents out a room in their house. It’s always about the other side of the coin, and it is out there,” he added.
City STR permits total 97: 63 current permits and 34 temporary permits. Another 15 sit on a waiting list.
“If you pass this ordinance tonight, we’re ready tomorrow for folks to begin applying for short-term rentals,” Stark told council.
The updated STR ordinance requires a permit registration fee of $200 to all STRs in the city limits and the city’s extra territorial jurisdiction. STR permits will expire two years from the effective date, with a renewal fee of $200 applied.
STRs in the city limits must have a safety inspection performed either by city staff or an outside licensed inspector, at a cost of $100.
Property owners must provide proof of insurance with a minimum liability coverage of $500,000 per occurrence.
Occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom plus two additional people. STRs must provide one parking space per bedroom. STR occupants are not allowed to host events.
Current STR owners with a permit have six months to comply with the city’s newly adopted STR Ordinance. The separation requirements do not apply to “grandfathered” STR properties already permitted at the time of the new ordinance’s approval.
“We can review this ordinance every year,” Ritchie said. “(We can) make changes, make updates, have conversations with STR owners moving forward. I think this is a good thing.”
Comment
Comments