City adopts stronger short‑term rental rules; ordinance adds revocation process and new signage requirement

The South Padre Island City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25‑04 on second reading, revising short‑term rental rules to add minimum conduct and safety standards, civil penalties and a process for short‑term rental license revocation after repeat violations.

Why it matters: council members and rental managers said the measure is intended to give the city “teeth” to address repeated noise, parking and trash complaints that neighbors say have disrupted residential areas. The ordinance provides administrative penalties (up to $500 per day as written) and a specific revocation and appeal process for short‑term rental licenses.

What the ordinance does: the adopted ordinance replaces section 11‑2‑22 and adds new sections 11‑2‑23 (penalties) and 11‑2‑24 (license revocation and appeals). It requires operators to post a local 24‑hour contact number and other on‑site information and authorizes fines and administrative action for violations. Council amended one provision at the second reading to clarify the signage requirement: instead of specifying posting “on the front door,” the ordinance now requires a yard sign; council members amended language to require an 18 by 24‑inch sign with legible type (council discussed “64‑point” type as the working expectation) placed no less than five feet from the right‑of‑way, except where a property owners association or recognized on‑site security prohibits yard signage.

Industry and resident input: vacation‑rental managers and property owners in the public gallery urged clearer requirements and stronger enforcement. Will…