Jane Pardue is a staunch foe of short term vacational rentals
A host of Chattanooga residents who make extra income and meet new friends by renting out their homes told City Council members on Tuesday that short term vacation rentals are part of the new way of living.
Commission Chairman Moses Freeman said those who came to the public hearing do it right, but he said a new ordinance is necessary because some who are not responsible "cause tremendous problems," including many visits by the fire and police departments. He said in those cases there are "too many cars, large groups of people and wild parties."
Commissioner Yusuf Hakeem said Sept. 13 "is the very earliest date" the council would act on the proposed ordinance and he said it may be later.
Short term vacation rentals are now allowed in R-3 and R-4 zones. Several of those at the hearing freely admitted they are in the rental business outside those zones and welcome a new system that would put them into compliance.
However, some feared there would be too much regulation and inspection with the new system. It would require applying for a certificate, giving neighbors a chance to object and have a City Council hearing, a business license, a site plan, a plan on how the trash is to be handled and proof of insurance. A functional smoke detector is required.
City Attorney Wade Hinton said those applying would give an oath that they meet the requirements, including the working smoke alarm. He said in cases of larger structures there may be a sprinkler required under state law.
Assistant City Attorney Phil Noblett said those who are in compliance with the current short term vacation rental ordinance would be grandfathered in and not have to comply with the new rules.
The ordinance would allow rentals in residences of up to nine bedrooms. It could only be up to five bedrooms in R-1 zones.
There would be no written signage except for a property on over five acres.
Rentals would have to be for at least 24 hours.
The certificates would not be transferable to other individuals.
Several rental operators said the system has built-in incentives to avoid problems, including the hosts reviewing the guests and vice versa.
Operators said many people stay in their homes because they want to get a taste of city life without paying a big hotel bill.
Many who stay in the rentals are checking out Chattanooga as a possible future home, it was stated.
Bill Lockhart, who runs a rental along with his wife in Jefferson Heights, said, "At least five of our guests have liked the Southside so well that they are going to move to Chattanooga in the next several months."
Phil Cross, who has a rental in Highland Park, said many people nowadays travel the country staying in homes, including "three cool people from the UK that we had last night."
He said he is able to steer them to the best local spots, including the Art District, the Glass Bridge and the Walking Bridge. He said, "They get the real authentic Chattanooga, Tn."
Jane Pardue of Bal Harbor on Lake Chickamauga said she has urged all the council members to vote the measure down. She said, "Safety is a big issue." She said there could be a pedophile next door or a drug dealer or people "doing things we don't even begin to imagine."
She said such rentals "are a big problem for your property values," and she said the city does not have enough inspectors to police them. She said, "The neighbors wind up doing the policing."
Dan Dykstra spoke in favor of new rules for short term vacation rentals