Michael Garcia Staff writer July 25, 2024

Oak Ridge North officials are putting a stop to homeowners looking to register new properties as a short-term rental, a movement that has increased around the country. 

In April, officials debated the topic of banning short-term rental properties from coming to the city that neighbors The Woodlands — after noise complaints and disturbances were made towards some properties.

During a city council meeting on June 24, council members voted unanimously to ban future rentals as well as create a licensing program for long-term rentals and existing short-term rentals as a way to mitigate complaints.

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City Attorney Brandon Morris said the program would allow the city to keep an eye on the rentals currently operating in the city.

“It’s similar to our other rental ordinance,” said City Manager Heather Neeley, noting that a long-term rental usually has to register with the city and have an inspection done. 

It’s not new for cities to try and put more restrictions on short-term rentals associated with companies such as Airbnb, VRBO and Hopper. 

In 2023, New York City officials moved to regulate short-term rentals by requiring rentals be shorter than 30 days and allowing them only if hosts register with the city, according to the Associated Press. In Houston, city council members are looking to create an ordinance of their own after residents raised concerns over the properties in their neighborhoods. 

And in Oak Ridge North, referred to sometimes as a “sleepy town,” officials said parties at some of these properties do not go unnoticed. 

What is in the ordinance?

Any short-term and long term rental are required to register with the city if the property is within city limits, according to city documents. This also bans any new property from being registered as a short-term rental. 

Established short-term rentals are not assignable or transferable and are valid for one year from the date the license was approved, the city documents state. Properties that aren’t considered “established short-term rentals” are not allowed to advertise as one and people are not allowed to rent, lease or stay at a property without a license issued. 

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Licenses to short-term rentals can be revoked if there are life safety or critical violations, information provided on the permit application was materially false or incorrect, and if two or more citations related to parking, noise, or nuisance violations are issued upon the licensed property within a rolling 12-month period, the documents state.

A violation of this ordinance can result in a misdemeanor and a fine up to $2,0000. 

The new ordinance should hopefully give residents some peace of mind, Neeley said. 

“I think the residents, hopefully, will be pleased that this is put into place in order to preserve the neighborhood feel as opposed to the party environment,” she said. 

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