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Reedsville council approves zoning text amendment to allow short‑term rentals with restrictions
Summary
After a public hearing, council approved a text amendment to allow short‑term rentals by right in residential and central business districts with seven development requirements aimed at limiting nuisances and improving accountability. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
Reedsville's City Council on Feb. 10 approved a text amendment to the city's zoning ordinance that allows short‑term rentals by right in all residential zoning districts and in the Central Business (CB) district, subject to a set of development requirements.
Drew Bigelow, Reedsville's planning and community development director, told the council staff had drafted the proposal after reviewing ordinances in Raleigh, Greensboro, Burlington and Wilmington and following a recent nuisance incident. "This new permitted use will be allowed by right in all residential zoning districts as well as the central business district," Bigelow said, then listed seven requirements, including prohibiting cooking facilities in bedrooms and requiring operators to keep a three‑year guest list and display the zoning permit number on advertisements.
Council members pressed staff on why the regulation was needed in a small city with relatively few short‑term listings. One councilman said limits on the number of units in multiunit buildings could discourage investors; Bigelow responded that the amendment provides a path for current operators to come into compliance and helps the city regulate nuisance events. Bigelow said typical short‑term stays are "30 days or less," and staff intentionally did not set a strict day cut‑off to retain flexibility.
Following the hearing and discussion, a council member moved to approve the proposed amendment (T2025‑55). The mayor called for those in favor and those opposed. The transcript records the motion, second and vote call; an explicit roll‑call tally was not included in the record provided.
The amendment also includes enforcement language and references to compliance with state and local laws, including fire and building codes and payment of applicable occupancy taxes. Staff said the proposal could be amended further by council if members wished to adjust unit limits or other provisions.
The ordinance change takes effect according to the usual adoption process; staff will provide follow‑up details to the council about implementation steps and enforcement procedures.
