Board to consider reserving up to 25 residential short‑term rental licenses for permanently disabled veterans

City Attorney Bridal (Brian Albrecht) presented an ordinance amendment to Hot Springs Code (amending Ordinance 64‑54 / Hot Springs Code Section 16‑10‑2(e)) that would preserve the current aggregate cap of 400 short‑term residential rental business licenses in residential zoning districts and create a separate allotment of up to 25 licenses reserved for U.S. veterans with a service‑connected permanent and total disability rating.

Key provisions: the reserved licenses would be for properties titled in the disabled veteran’s name, limited to one license per immediate family, and subject to the same application, renewal and compliance rules as other STR licenses. Applicants must provide a Department of Veterans Affairs letter confirming a service‑connected permanent and total disability rating. Staff said renewals of existing licenses receive priority, and the portal for new veteran‑reserved licenses would open only if fewer than 25 such licenses remain after the annual May 1 renewal process.

Why it matters: proponents said operating an STR can provide steady income for permanently disabled veterans who have difficulty maintaining full‑time employment. Board members asked clarifying questions about title requirements, renewals if a veteran dies and how the one‑per‑family rule works.

Next steps: the ordinance will be included in the board packet and is scheduled for formal consideration at the Feb. 18 meeting. Board members discussed the possibility of a pending state bill that could remove local STR regulation; staff and directors said they would still put the local ordinance before the board rather than waiting for the state outcome.

Ending: If adopted, the policy would create a limited, annual veteran‑reserved allocation (up to 25) in addition to the existing capped inventory of residential STR licenses.