Soddy‑Daisy commission places moratorium on new non‑owner short‑term rental applications

The Soddy‑Daisy Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on first reading Oct. 6 to impose a moratorium on acceptance of applications for non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rental properties, effective immediately and running through March 15, 2023.

City Attorney Elliott said the short‑term rental ordinance was brought up at Commissioner Shipley’s request to allow the city time to review rules and “fine tune” the ordinance while the City of Chattanooga studies short‑term rental policy. Elliott described short‑term rentals as “basically an Airbnb, where you post your house for rent on the internet for a period of less than 30 days.” He said there was no public opposition at the hearing.

Commissioner Shipley told the board he had concerns about concentrations of rentals in residential neighborhoods, citing a Sale Creek neighborhood where “7 to 8 homes are held as short‑term rentals.” Commissioner Everett seconded Shipley’s motion to adopt the moratorium on first reading; the board’s vote was unanimous.

The moratorium stops the city from accepting new applications for non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rentals while staff reviews ordinance language and examines other municipalities’ approaches. The moratorium covers rentals the city defines as stays of less than 30 days and is scheduled to remain in effect through March 15, 2023 unless changed by subsequent action.

Next steps: staff and the city attorney will review the ordinance during the moratorium period and report recommendations back to the board before any final adoption vote.