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Residents ask Bellaire council for owner‑occupied exception to short‑term rental rule for Larch Lane
Summary
A resident told council an ordinance regulating short‑term rentals applied to their owner‑occupied house on Larch Lane without prior notice; the resident described long-term, family‑focused hosting and urged the council to exempt such properties.
During the public‑comment period April 6, Felix Rhymes told the council he and his wife, Patsy, have operated an owner‑occupied short‑term rental on Larch Lane for about 10–15 years and asked the council to carve out an owner‑occupied exception to the city’s short‑term rental ordinance for properties like theirs.
"We live on the premises ... The majority of our guests are families. We do not rent single rooms. We don't rent to college students or anybody under the age of 25," Rhymes said, describing screening procedures, minimum stays and restrictions on parties and loud music. He said the first notice they received of the new ordinance was a citation and said they will contest it if necessary.
Rhymes urged council to regulate rather than eliminate short‑term rentals and asked members to visit Larch Lane to see its mixed commercial and multifamily character. No council action on the ordinance took place during the public‑comment period; enforcement and any potential exceptions would be addressed through the ordinance process and future agenda items.
