Weatherford commission approves zoning changes to allow short-term rentals in C1 and C2 districts

The City of Weatherford Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Dec. 10 to amend portions of Title 12 of the zoning ordinance to allow short-term rentals in existing single-family detached residences located in C1 (general commercial) and C2 (interstate commercial) districts. Chair Brian McCallan opened the public hearing at 02:35PM and noted the matter will also be considered by the City Council.

City staff presented the proposed changes, citing specific updates to sections 12-3-302(c)(1), 12-3-303(c)(2), 12-5-108 and 12-6-100 and recommending approval. A staff member told the commission that "staff has observed that a few short term rentals are already operating in some existing single family residences" and that, because those properties are near downtown and commercial areas, "they would be compatible with the surrounding land uses and support tourism within the city." The package also includes clarified definitions and revised regulatory language for short-term rentals.

No members of the public submitted speaker cards or addressed the commission during the public hearing. After brief discussion in which Chair McCallan characterized the amendment as largely cleanup language to address previous omissions, the commission moved and approved the ordinance amendment (motion recorded as made by Mr. Cray, seconded by Ms. Wiley). The action was recorded as unanimous. The commission record notes that any ordinance changes approved by the commission will be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration.

The amendments as presented update zoning code language to explicitly permit short-term rental uses in the cited sections for C1 and C2 districts and add clarified definitions. The commission did not attach additional conditions during its vote; the record shows staff recommended approval subject to the presented ordinance text. The item will appear on a future City Council agenda for final action.