The Corpus Christi City Council approved a registration requirement for short-term rental management at its last meeting of the year, Tuesday, Dec. 14. The proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance amends Chapter 5 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, requiring registration of any residential property rented to another party for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days.
City Manager Peter Zanoni described it as a “multiple departmental effort” and said a “legacy issue” was addressed with the ordinance. Many cities across the country and in Texas considered tourist destinations dealt with the issue long ago.
The ordinance applies to all areas of the city that are currently zoned for short-term rentals. Permits will not be issued to owners of homes in single-family zones. One exception is a bed-and-breakfast home approved by the City Council.
The cost of the permit is $100 to be paid every two years with assurances that 24-hour contact information, floor plans, and escape plans are available. Owners must also provide self-certification that life safety items, including smoke detectors and insurance, have been obtained.
The primary reasons for the registration, according to Daniel McGinn, Corpus Christi director of Planning and Environmental Services, are to:
- establish regulations for the protection of the health and safety of occupant(s) of short-term rental properties and to protect the integrity of the neighborhoods in which short-term rental properties operate;
- assure best practice among top Texas cities and others across the country;
- allow for the management and tracking of units within the community;
- and offer a primary tool for city enforcement of non-compliant STR units.
Short-term rentals sometimes cause problems in their neighborhoods that can be avoided with proper management, Zanoni said. Renter noise, parking issues, and additional crime can occur without stated neighborhood rules in place for renters to follow.
Enforcement is currently addressed as a violation of “Illegal Land Use.” When Code Enforcement responds to complaints, it is a private transaction and can only be proven by admissions of a party to the transaction or by a sting operation.
City staff have observed an increased number of complaints regarding STRs with most from Padre Island followed by North Beach and along Ocean Drive.
Following the vote to approve short-term rental permit registrations, an STR website will be created and software configured. The city will also provide staffing and resources tor administration of the registration.
Phase 2 of the ordinance will include stakeholder involvement to address land use and other regulatory issues related to short-term rentals citywide. This will allow enforcement of the new code.