Rowlett council amends short-term rental ordinance to require permit revocation after two citations

The Rowlett City Council on April 1 approved an amended short-term rental ordinance that replaces a discretionary revocation standard with a mandatory one. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Deb Schindler moved the change to require staff to revoke a short-term rental permit when a permit holder has received more than two citations within a 12‑month period; Councilmember Britton seconded the motion.

Schindler told the council she had received extensive public feedback and said the single-word change was intended “to take the discretion away from the staff” and to add “this tiny bit more teeth to the ordinance.” She told council members she had discussed the amendment with the city attorney, who did not identify a legal barrier to the change.

The amendment modifies section 10.477 of the city code (the short-term rental permit revocation provision). Under the amended language, a permit “shall” be revoked if the holder has received more than two citations for violations of the division or other provisions of the city code within the preceding 12 months, among other stated grounds for revocation.

The ordinance as amended was moved by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Schindler and seconded by Councilmember Britton. The transcript records that the council approved the ordinance as amended; the roll-call vote tally is not specified in the public transcript.

City staff and the city attorney were cited in discussion as reviewing the ordinance and its enforceability; no additional amendments were offered on the council floor. The mayor pro tem and council members emphasized that the amendment narrows staff discretion and aims to create a clearer enforcement standard for short-term rental operators.

The ordinance will be published according to city procedures and enforced by city code compliance once the permit and enforcement processes are finalized by staff.