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Bedford council, staff say state court rulings limit citywide ban on short-term rentals; enforcement, registration remain tools
Summary
A Bedford resident urged tighter controls on short-term rentals citing safety, noise and parking concerns. City attorneys and staff told the City Council legal precedent constrains a citywide ban and described current local tools: an annual registration and inspection program, code enforcement and permit revocation for violations.
A Bedford resident urged the City Council on Feb. 25 to take stronger action on short-term rentals, saying neighbors face increased noise, parking congestion and security worries when homes are used year-round as short-term rental properties.
Spencer Jacobson, who identified himself as a Bedford resident, told the council that a nearby home was purchased with the intent to operate as a year-round short-term rental and said "Airbnb does not require clients ... to submit photo IDs," arguing that the platforms' screening practices leave nearby families exposed to risk.
City officials described the limits of local authority. The city attorney summarized recent Texas case law, saying the Texas Supreme Court and several courts of appeals have…
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