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Council says short‑term rentals are a growing neighborhood problem; sponsor to bring ordinance after legal review
Summary
Council members described noise, parties and safety incidents tied to short‑term rental units and asked staff and legal to draft enforceable local steps; sponsor Jon Spinoza said he will bring a draft ordinance after counsel review.
Short‑term rental (STR) complaints rose repeatedly during committee hearings on April 22, with council members and planning staff describing problems ranging from loud parties and street parking to violent incidents and difficulty enforcing local rules.
Councilman Jon Spinoza said residents across the city have reported STR‑related problems and that he planned to present a draft ordinance in the next meeting cycle after legal review. “I met with a woman three weeks ago by the Liberty Bowl who had bullet holes in her living room,” Spinoza said, describing neighborhood safety incidents linked to short‑term rentals in some cases.
Legal and enforcement limits: John Zena, planning director, explained the practical limits imposed by state law and by the way STRs register on private platforms. He said the city updated its local STR ordinance in 2023 to require permits and restrict sleeping rooms, but that state rules allow existing STRs to operate under earlier regulations in many cases. Zena and other staff said verifying when a listing began operating can be difficult because platform records are privately held.
Council direction and next steps: Members asked for a focused, enforceable local approach that stays within state limits. Several members urged involving Memphis Police Department so enforcement staff can explain what is possible at the local level. Spinoza said he and legal counsel are working on language to address repeat‑offender properties, party advertising and better neighbor notifications; he promised to deliver a proposed ordinance in the coming weeks for committee consideration.
Why it matters: Council members said the issue touches public safety, housing and neighborhood quality of life; they emphasized the need to protect residents’ rights and to craft measures that are legally sound and enforceable.
Ending: The committee will return to the topic after staff and legal complete a draft; council members asked staff to coordinate with MPD and code enforcement on enforcement mechanics.
