Denton candidates debate housing, zoning and short‑term rental rules as state preemption looms

At a League of Women Voters forum in Denton City, municipal candidates debated how to manage the city’s fast growth, including short‑term rental (STR) regulation, multifamily development and what to do if the Texas Legislature acts to limit local zoning authority.

The candidates opened by addressing short‑term rentals. Susie Rumor, who said she serves on Denton’s Mobility Committee and Vision Zero Task Force, said she favored caps and enforcement: “I like the fact that the recent rules about short term rentals had a cap on the number that could be allowed in Denton. Now how to enforce that? I don't know.” Rumor noted a recent cap and the city’s requirement that owners register and pay hotel taxes, and said enforcement remains a challenge.

Karen DeVinny, who described long experience in neighborhood advocacy, said she supported limits where STRs harm neighbors and noted differing local effects: “On the other hand, a friend of mine who lives in Southridge has one across the street from him and it's used basically for construction workers who are getting up and starting their diesel…