Council amends zoning to add short‑term rental definition and 1,000‑foot spacing, grandfathering existing registrations

The Bedford City Council unanimously approved June 24 a zoning text amendment that creates a distinct short‑term rental land‑use entry in the zoning schedule, adds a definition, and establishes a 1,000‑foot separation requirement between short‑term rentals. The amendment also creates a special‑exception process through the Zoning Board of Adjustment for properties that can demonstrate circumstances warranting a reduced spacing requirement.

Development Director Wes Morrison said the change formalizes a distance requirement that council had discussed previously and that the new language is needed in the zoning code to mirror existing registration requirements. Staff said there are roughly 35 active short‑term rental registrations in the city; the ordinance treats those already‑registered properties that fall within 1,000 feet of another registered short‑term rental as legally nonconforming and allows them to continue operating so long as their registration does not lapse. Morrison told council that if a registration lapses, the property would no longer benefit from the nonconforming status.

Planning & Zoning recommended approval 7‑0. Several councilmembers asked staff how many active properties fall within the new buffer; staff estimated two to four existing registrations are closer than 1,000 feet to another rental. Council approved the text amendment on the consent of its public hearing after staff described the changes as a cleanup to integrate short‑term rental rules into the zoning code.

The ordinance change moves the city’s short‑term rental regulation further into the zoning framework and creates a mechanism for special exceptions; staff said the city will continue enforcing registration requirements under the separate short‑term rental registration ordinance.