Proposed rules for short-term guest lodging in Springfield criticized by councilwoman
A member of the city council is expressing her concern over a set of proposed regulations for short-term guest rentals.
Right now, the only types of overnight lodging allowed in Springfield are hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts.
That means popular online services like Airbnb and VRBO, which allow you rent out your extra room (or entire home) to travelers, are technically illegal in the city.
The city had been working on a set of rules that would allow the businesses to be recognized as legitimate operations. However, there would be a set of stipulations. On January 11th, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted against implementing the new rules and guidelines. Now, the issue is heading to the city council for debate and a vote there.
Earlier this month, Daniel Neal, Senior Planner with the City of Springfield, explained, “I think that is one of the major concerns neighbors have is overcrowding and what kind of impact it has on parking in their neighborhood and those types of things.” He added, “When you start talking about two, three, four, and five or more a whole block of single-family homes that would be used for these types of businesses, we start seeing there could be a concern for neighborhood stability.”
On Tuesday, city staff outlined the proposed regulations that will go before the council this coming Monday, January 29.
One complaint cited as an example came from a neighbor of a short-term stay property. That individual claimed someone rented a house and had a party with 600 people and three mules.
Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky opined, “I just think it is very heavy handed and really intrudes into the private sector. If it is a revenue thing, then maybe we should talk about that part of it.”
Fulnecky gave her opinion during this council work session.
“They are talking about parties and complaints on Airbnb but that is why we have the police, and that is why we have nuisance complaints. I think this is really over-reaching and the government is coming in and taking over an industry that doesn’t need to be taken over.”
The list of rules includes several stipulations. For one, places in residential districts would have to obtain a business license and certificate of occupancy. Homes where the owner lives on site, and rents out an extra room, would be limited to 95 guest stays per year. Properties, where there is not a full-time person on site, would have to have a conditional use permit. Also, there have to be at least 500 feet between the properties.
Fulnecky said, “I think this is an area the city needs to stay out of. We already have so many permits trying to keep tabs on people. She explained, “We already went through an issue of landlord-tenant issues, we have been through the trash trying to regulate the trash industry. And this is just another example of how we are trying to get into an industry.”