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Council approves first reading of short-term rental registration ordinance; fee set at $25 annually
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance requiring short-term rental (STR) operators in Bastrop to register with the city, provide local 24-hour contact information and collect hotel occupancy taxes. Staff removed proposed mandatory inspections after public feedback; annual registration will cost $25 and a registration sticker is optional.
The Bastrop City Council on Feb. 11 approved the first reading of an ordinance that would require operators of short-term rentals (STRs) inside city limits to register annually with the city.
The ordinance establishes a $25 annual registration fee and requires property address, operator contact information, any affiliated marketing platforms and a local 24-hour contact person to receive urgent notifications. Staff said the registration is intended to improve life-safety communications, ensure collection of hotel occupancy taxes and provide consistent information to guests.
The staff presenter explained the city will provide a packet owners can distribute to guests and that the registration number/sticker is optional after community feedback. “Originally, the major changes are initially we had an inspection process that was baked into this. We have removed that,” the staff member said, explaining that mandatory inspections raised liability concerns for the city.
Council members praised the lower registration fee relative to other large cities and the staff’s public engagement. “This is much more friendly to everyone,” Councilperson Meyer said, noting Austin’s higher proposed fees as a contrast. City staff stressed the STR registration is distinct from certificate-of-occupancy and building-code processes; those remain separate processes and fees.
Under the ordinance as passed on first reading, STR owners must provide the number of bedrooms, the proposed occupant limit and off-street parking spaces so the city and neighbors can assess quality-of-life impacts. Staff said the city will keep an online map of registered STRs as an incentive for operators to register and for marketing purposes.
The ordinance will return to council for second reading on Feb. 25 and — if adopted — the registration process will apply to STRs operating in new and existing properties inside city limits.
