ZBA approves short‑term rental at 2516 Stanford Drive with conditions after neighbor raises noise concerns

The Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a conditional special exception to allow short‑term rental use at 2516 Stanford Drive, subject to staff‑recommended limits after neighbors voiced concerns about noise and parking.

Petitioner Vanessa Lockhart, a property manager, told the board she manages more than 60 single‑family homes and would be the 24‑hour contact for the rental. Staff noted the house is three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the petitioner requested capacity for eight adults and four vehicles; staff recommended limiting occupancy to six adults and three vehicles and required that one vehicle be parked inside the garage. Engineering recommended one car parked in the garage.

Neighbor Carol Woodman testified she lives next door and asked the board to adopt staff’s lower occupancy recommendation and raised noise concerns, particularly because bedrooms face the rental and the neighborhood has older residents. Board members indicated police and 311 complaints would be taken into account at renewal time; staff said the city cannot require the petitioner to attach a copy of the noise ordinance to every short‑term rental agreement but that any police calls or 311 complaints would affect future renewals.

The board approved the special exception with conditions: occupancy limited to six adults, parking limited to three vehicles with one vehicle in the garage, 30‑night cap, and a one‑year probationary approval period during which complaints will be monitored prior to renewing.

Outcome: ZBA approved ZBA‑15‑25 (special exception for short‑term rental) with conditions described above.