National City Council adopts short-term rental rules, capping 45 permits per district

The National City Council on Sept. 2 unanimously adopted an ordinance adding a short-term rental chapter to the city code and limiting short-term rental licenses to 45 per council district.

Council member Jose Rodriguez, who led the discussion, said the policy is a response to neighborhood complaints and criminal activity tied to problem listings. "We had over 200 units on Airbnb and VRBO and several were turned into brothels with shootings and stabbings," Rodriguez said, citing police reports and neighborhood input. Planning staff told the council the draft ordinance includes a 45-per-district cap and added language requiring criminal-background checks for applicants.

Public commenters told the council the city is largely renter-occupied and urged careful design so responsible owners are not unfairly penalized. One resident asked how existing operators would be reduced to the cap; staff answered that permits will be issued on a first-complete-application basis and once a district reaches 45 permits no new licenses would be issued in that district.

Staff said the ordinance takes effect 30 days after adoption, at which point city staff must finalize administrative procedures and work with a third-party implementation partner for permitting. Council emphasized enforcement and the role of the police department and a human-trafficking task force in earlier enforcement efforts.

The ordinance was approved on second reading with no recorded opposition. The council instructed staff to return with implementation plans and policy details tied to enforcement, permitting and compliance timelines.