San Antonio Considers Overhaul of Short-Term Rental Ordinance

San Antonio, a city known for its vibrant culture and history, could soon see significant changes concerning its short-term rental properties. The city’s short-term rental ordinance, established six years ago, is currently undergoing its first major makeover, leading potentially to an increase in permit prices for owners of such properties.

Comparison with Other Cities

Councilwoman Teri Castillo has noted that, compared to other cities in Texas such as Marfa, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Austin, San Antonio currently possesses the lowest annual short-term rental permit fee, sitting at $100 for a three-year permit. With the newly proposed changes which have stemmed from recommendations made by a task force, this fee could potentially triple.

Concerns About Impact on Housing Stability

Beyond the increased fees, certain council members including Castillo maintain that these changes may not go far enough. She believes that there is a direct correlation between effects on housing stability and the short-term rental paradigm.

“While I understand increased permit fees won’t necessarily solve the housing crisis, I think when we look at the case studies that exist on how short-term rentals impact housing stability and local housing ecosystems, they’re very destabilizing”, Castillo said.

Additionally, the councilwoman pointed out that despite the proposed fee increases, San Antonio would continue to be one of the least costly places in Texas, when it comes to registering properties with third-party apps.

Opposition to the Changes

However, not everyone agrees that these changes are necessary or that short-term rentals are having a detrimental impact on housing ecosystems. Shelley Galbraith, who founded and chairs the Short-Term Rental Association of San Antonio, holds a contrasting stance.

She disagrees with claims that rent increases stem from the number of short-term rentals in a city, reinforcing her stance with recent studies that debunk this notion and highlighting the fact that short-term rentals make up only a small fraction of residential addresses in San Antonio.

Next Steps for the Proposed Ordinance Overhaul

Councilwoman Castillo has acknowledged that at this juncture much deliberation needs to occur before any definitive decision can be made. The ordinance, coupled with continued discussions on the topic, will be presented before the city council within the next month.

This development prompts intricate questions about the short-term rental economy’s footprint in San Antonio, a city annually attracting millions of tourists with its vibrant culture, history, and destinations. With an increasing number of people interested in such rental properties, the debates around the impact of potential changes to the short-term rental ordinance are bound to intensify in the coming weeks.