North San Antonio Edition | February 2024

From the cover

Legal challenge puts spotlight on local short-term rental regulations

BY EDMOND ORTIZ

Zooming in

The cost

Stay tuned

Current situation

Rentals in the area As of Feb. 9, San Antonio’s short-term rental dashboard showed 118 active, permitted rentals in the north central San Antonio area. Permits expire in April Active permits

BULVERDE RD.

Task force member Colleen Waguespack asked San Antonio to focus on financial responsibility of owners/operators who do not live on-site. “[There are] owner/operators who simply book ... to maximize income,” Waguespack said. Argo and Browning said they are defending their property rights. Hollywood Park City Attorney Ryan Henry said he feels the city’s ban will be upheld.

The ability to run one’s home as a short- term rental is central to a lawsuit Hollywood Park property owners Bonnie Browning, Scott Troen and Abby Argo filed in opposi- tion to the city government’s ban. A federal court granted the trio a preliminary injunc- tion in December. Argo and Browning argued they invested heavily to make their Hollywood Park homes accommodating to short-term renters. Police Chief Shad Pritchard said none of the estimated six short-term rental prop- erties in the town were cited for nuisance ordinance violations before Hollywood Park’s council adopted a ban. However, some residents at November’s council meeting complained about some local short-term rentals. “It takes away from the community feel here,” resident Frank Holzmann said at the council meeting.

San Antonio’s task force will meet at various times through April at 1901 S. Alamo St., with public meetings on recommended revisions to the city’s short-term rental ordinance set for June. Council is due to approve changes in September. Details are available at www.tinyurl.com/yc5nyxvt . Hollywood Park officials said they do not know when the next court action regarding the lawsuit will take place.

The San Antonio Short-Term Rentals Task Force debuted Dec. 6 and is charged with recommending updates to the city’s five-year-old ordinance. San Antonio has two types of short-term rentals. Type 1 is a property occupied by the owner/ operator and Type 2 is a property that is not. The city requires a $100, three-year permit and monthly hotel occupancy tax payments. Among other things, the task force aims to strengthen enforcement requirements, especially on the estimated 1,200-1,500 operators who are delinquent on fees and taxes. Officials and advocates said San Antonio’s task force and Hollywood Park’s ban are among efforts to answer parking, noise and other concerns. District 9 council member John Courage voiced concern on another task force issue—permitting corporate-owned rentals and individuals who run their home like a business in a residential neighborhood.

Stone Oak

281

BLANCO RD.

10

Hollywood Park

1604

Shavano Park

Permit fee totals from short-term rentals

1604

Penalties for violations

$800K

City

Penalty

$600K

San Antonio Fines: $200-$500; permit revoked for uncorrected violations Hollywood Park Daily fine up to $2,000 after May 14, 2024

Z

$400K

$200K

WURZBACH RD.

N

SOURCES: TOWN OF HOLLYWOOD PARK, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

$0

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322 DE ZAVALA 5219 De Zavala Rd (210) 561-0900

VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206

RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244

LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600

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