Neighbors press Birmingham to tighten short‑term rental rules after East Lincoln shooting

BIRMINGHAM — Residents urged the Birmingham City Commission on April 13 to move quickly to tighten oversight of short‑term rentals after a shooting on East Lincoln Street that drew multiple 911 calls and a large police response.

Police Chief Scott Groomey told the commission that officers responded early Saturday to reports of shots fired at 1480 East Lincoln. "We recovered 35 shell casings," he said, and investigators had identified and taken several suspects into custody; prosecutors were expected to file charges. Groomey said investigators were still processing evidence and canvassing nearby properties for surveillance footage.

Public commenters described recurring disturbances at short‑term rentals on the same block. "We have multiple short‑term rentals. Some are strictly Airbnb, some are Airbnb and Vrbo," said Eve Pickman, a Pembroke Manor resident. She told the commission she found listings and a national map that label Birmingham as investor‑friendly because the city lacks a dedicated short‑term rental ordinance. She urged the commission to consider a 30‑day minimum stay to align with rules in neighboring communities and to reduce the potential for transient parties.

Neighbors at the microphone described repeated late‑night parties, noise, parking congestion and one resident's account of a dog that died after being left unattended at a short‑term rental. "We've made many calls on parties," said Eric Koehler, who lives six houses from the block in question; "the police are always very responsive, but they are limited in what they can do." Another resident, Steve Sandy, who operates a short‑term rental himself, estimated there are about 95 short‑term rental listings in Birmingham and urged the city to target the small number of problematic properties rather than impose a blanket ban.

City staff and the city attorney told the commission that existing rental licensing and inspection programs do apply to short‑term rentals, and that staff would report back with legal options and recommendations in two weeks. The mayor said the city attorney is reviewing the legal scope of what the city can require and the building official is checking rental licensing and inspection enforcement possibilities.

Next steps: Commissioners agreed to expedite discussion of short‑term rentals at the next meeting; staff will return with a report on enforcement options, possible zoning or licensing changes, and other approaches to reduce neighborhood impacts while preserving lawful short‑term rental use.

Attribution note: quotes come from public commenters and the police chief during the April 13 meeting.

Ending note: The commission scheduled an expedited follow‑up to consider short‑term rental rules and building‑department enforcement options.