Beaumont City Council voted to amend city code chapters affecting short‑term rentals, removing a requirement that short‑term rental platforms (for example, Airbnb or VRBO) include permit numbers on listings or be held directly responsible for remitting hotel‑occupancy tax (HOT). Council also eliminated a 300‑foot minimum spacing requirement between short‑term rental properties.

The ordinance, discussed under Item 2, was described by city staff as intended to place responsibility for HOT remittance on the person registered with the state comptroller rather than on listing platforms. City staff said that if an operator or owner does not remit HOT, the city will pursue collection and may revoke the STR permit; revoked sites would be ineligible to reapply for 12 months. “If it’s listed on a short term rental platform, it’s a STR,” staff said when reading the ordinance’s definition, noting the 30‑day threshold that triggers the regulation.

Council members raised concerns about enforcement and safeguards. Councilman Crenshaw cited past incidents in which a local hotel collected HOT and left town without remitting funds, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars; he asked what protections will prevent a similar outcome with STRs. Staff replied that applicants must show proof of registration with the city’s HOT collection partner, Numo, and that permitting and collection processes are coordinated so a permit could be denied or revoked if HOT is not collected.

Councilman Turner asked whether hosts who market properties but are not the registered remitter would remain accountable; staff repeated that the person registered to remit HOT with the comptroller would be responsible, and that the ordinance places the compliance burden on the registrant. Council discussion also addressed how the change affects multi‑unit properties (duplexes/fourplexes) and clarified that the 300‑foot rule had been measured “as the crow flies” from property line to property line; removing it was framed as preventing de facto ‘‘landlocking’’ of properties and easing investment.

The ordinance passed on council voice vote. The record of enforcement steps in the ordinance includes permit revocation for nonpayment and a 12‑month ineligibility period for the site; staff said collection is coordinated through Numo and finance would pursue funds if Numo reports nonpayment. The council did not change the STR definition’s 30‑day threshold cited from state law.

Next steps: the ordinance will be adopted as presented; staff indicated they will work with finance and Numo to implement collection safeguards and report back if additional administrative changes are needed.