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Chester drafting ordinance to regulate short‑term rentals, city staff says
Summary
City staff told council a draft ordinance to regulate short‑term rentals, including Airbnb listings, is in the solicitor's office and will be brought to council for amendment of local zoning and licensing rules.
A public commenter asked whether short‑term rentals such as Airbnbs are registered in Chester after a weekend shooting, and city staff told the City Council on May 27 that a draft ordinance to regulate short‑term rentals is being processed through the solicitor’s office.
The commenter identified herself as the community violence intervention coordinator for the Safer Schools, Stronger Neighborhoods Collaborative and asked whether Airbnbs are registered and how many exist in the city. A city staff member replied, “We actually have something presently going through the solicitor's office right now to change our ordinance to include, the Airbnb and the not long term, rental right now,” and said the change would come before council as a resolution to amend the ordinance.
Staff explained that short‑term rentals have not previously been separately regulated in Chester, aside from existing rental‑license requirements that apply to longer‑term rentals, rooming houses and group houses. The planned ordinance is intended to add rules on where short‑term rentals may operate, applicable districts and related requirements such as parking. Staff said the city reviewed ordinances from other municipalities while drafting the change.
No council vote or final ordinance language was recorded in the transcript. The timeline given was that the amendment will be submitted to committee and then back to council for approval; staff did not give a specific vote date in the available record.
