Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Text Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves zoning amendments to regulate short‑term rentals, adds 1,000‑foot spacing rule and special‑exception process
Summary
Planning commissioners approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance creating a dedicated short‑term rental use, adding development standards (including a 1,000‑foot minimum distance between short‑term rentals), a special‑exception pathway to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a nonconforming clause for existing registered rentals.
The Bedford Planning and Zoning Commission approved May 22 a text amendment to Appendix B of the City’s Zoning Ordinance to create a separate short‑term rental use and to add development standards and procedures for permitting short‑term rentals.
What changed Staff explained the current short‑term rental program was adopted in 2021 as a registration and inspection program in the City Code (outside the zoning ordinance). The amendment moves the short‑term rental definition into the zoning ordinance, adds a short‑term rental row to the zoning land‑use chart, and creates Section 6.16 with development standards. The primary new standard is a spacing requirement: a new short‑term rental may not be permitted within 1,000 feet of an existing short‑term rental (distance is measured by the ordinance method the staff described). The amendment also creates a special‑exception process: applicants who seek to operate a short‑term rental inside the 1,000‑foot buffer can apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a special exception with demonstration of hardship.
Existing rentals and nonconformity Staff noted the city already has roughly 35–40 registered short‑term rentals. The text amendment includes a nonconforming‑use clause so existing legally operating rentals do not have to cease but will be treated as nonconforming if they fall within the new spacing limitation; the nonconforming clause sets conditions for continuation.
Commission discussion and rationale Commissioners asked why the amendment included a special‑exception pathway rather than an absolute prohibition; staff said the exception provides a process for hardship claims while keeping the default standard as the 1,000‑foot spacing rule. Commissioners asked for clarity about enforcement and how the rule would apply to new owners and to closely spaced existing properties; staff explained that new owners would need to apply for a special exception if the property falls within the buffer.
Votes and next steps - Motion to approve the zoning text amendment to Appendix B (definitions, schedule of permitted uses, permitted uses section 3.2c and new Section 6.16 SHORT TERM RENTALS) passed on the commission record and will go to City Council on June 24 for final action.
Ending Staff will transmit the amendment to City Council for final consideration at the scheduled council public hearing; staff noted they will continue enforcement and registration work under the city’s short‑term rental program while the zoning change becomes part of the code.
