In a recent government meeting, proposed updates to the home sharing ordinance were presented, marking a significant revision since the regulations were first adopted in 2019. The updates aim to address concerns raised by residents, home sharing hosts, and city officials regarding the impact of short-term rentals on neighborhoods.

The proposed changes, which were introduced to the city council on June 18, 2024, include a shift in terminology from \"home sharing\" to \"home sharing/short term rental\" to better reflect the nature of the ordinance. Key recommendations from the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment include stricter evaluation criteria for renewal applications, allowing for the denial of applications for one year based on prior violations.

One of the notable changes is the introduction of a maximum occupancy limit for home shares during nighttime hours, aimed at reducing noise disturbances. The limit will be calculated based on the number of bedrooms, with a cap of 16 occupants. Additionally, the ordinance will clarify that the approval of a home sharing license does not override any existing property restrictions.

For non-host occupied home shares and those in historic preservation districts, the updates propose a reduction in the maximum term for special exceptions from ten years to three years, alongside a minimum stay requirement of two nights to promote neighborhood stability. Furthermore, the ordinance will limit the number of special exceptions to no more than 10% of dwellings on any given block.

These revisions reflect a concerted effort by city officials to balance the interests of home sharing operators with the need to maintain community integrity and address resident concerns. The ordinance changes are now set to be reviewed further by the city council following extensive public hearings and stakeholder input.