Commission hears mixed public input on short‑term rental rules; public hearing continued to July 1
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Summary
Staff presented proposed UDC amendments establishing a 1,000‑foot separation between short‑term rentals (STRs), a 3% multifamily cap, and language on permit transferability; commissioners continued the hearing to July 1 after residents urged closing a transferability loophole.
City staff briefed the Lewisville Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday on proposed Unified Development Code amendments that would define short‑term rental units, add distance and density limits, and repeal an interim prohibition. After public comment that included calls to tighten permit transferability, the commission voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing to its July 1 meeting.
Richard (staff) reviewed the item’s history and public outreach, saying the topic first appeared to the City Council in 2020 and has been the subject of workshops, surveys and an interim prohibition adopted in February 2024. He told commissioners staff identified about 132 potential STRs: 94 permitted, 16 in process, and 22 not permitted. "So we have about 110 that are either permitted or in process," Richard said.
Staff summarized outreach results: a ZenCity survey with 602 submissions, an open house with about 20 attendees and a follow-up survey with 29 responses. Survey respondents generally supported limiting STRs to certain zoning districts, establishing minimum distances between STRs, and limiting the share of STRs in apartment complexes.
The proposed amendments presented by staff would: add a definition for short‑term rentals, add density and distance rules in Chapter 7 (new Section 7.4.3), remove the interim prohibition language, establish a 1,000‑foot minimum separation between STRs, and cap STRs in multifamily complexes at 3% of total units or two units, whichever is greater. Staff said STRs that already hold active permits would be allowed to continue operating as legal nonconforming uses.
Chris McGinn, director of Neighborhood Inspection Services, told commissioners that separate Chapter 4 amendments addressing permit transfer and enforcement are being drafted with the city attorney to align language across codes.
During public comment, residents and property owners gave mixed views. Johnny Morales, a Lewisville resident, objected to new restrictions and warned of legal challenges. Jeff Woods, who said he lives in a neighborhood with two adjacent STRs, urged the commission to close a perceived transferability loophole and recommended a mandatory waiting period or extinguishment of a permit on sale so spacing rules would be reapplied. "Permitting new buyers to restart the clock on STR use without evaluating spacing restrictions renders the density protections meaningless," Woods said. Property owner Gary Davis opposed major changes and urged grandfathering for existing operators, saying inspections and permit limits can address problems.
After discussion, Commissioner Aaron moved to continue the public hearing to the July 1 Planning and Zoning meeting; Commissioner Joshua seconded. The motion carried 6-0.
Staff said the commission’s July 1 meeting will be another opportunity for public input before the commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council. If recommended, the City Council would hold a third public hearing and could adopt final amendments; staff projected a new permit portal could go live in late July or August 2025.
