Citizen urges council to reconsider short‑term rental ban, cites Hampton ordinance as model

A public commenter at the July 22 Newport News City Council meeting urged the council to reconsider the city’s ordinance that broadly prohibits non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rentals and to adopt a studied, permissive approach similar to the City of Hampton.

The speaker, identified in the meeting as Greg Garrett, said he sent a letter and packet to council members and argued that short‑term rentals can generate tourism revenue, support an entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide housing options for families traveling with children or elders. Garrett said Hampton spent 13 months studying the issue and produced what he called an effective ordinance; he urged Newport News to convene a stakeholder group rather than retain a blanket ban.

Garrett told council that an earlier Newport News ordinance banning non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rentals passed on a 4–3 vote after what he described as minimal study, and he said the public record at the prior meeting showed overwhelming public comment against the ban. He asked council to study Hampton’s ordinance and the submitted materials and to create a stakeholder process to craft a local policy.

Why this matters: Short‑term rental regulation touches tourism, local housing markets, neighborhood character and tax revenue. Garrett suggested a targeted approach (allowing a small percentage of units) rather than a citywide prohibition.

Meeting record and next steps: The speaker handed council packets and the Hampton ordinance text to the clerk during public comment. The council did not take action on the request at this meeting; no staff study request or motion to create a stakeholder group was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: The speaker asked council to review his materials and study Hampton’s approach; the record shows the materials were provided to the clerk.