HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.10.26 STR Council Presentation FILEDShort Term Rental Discussion July 13, 2026 Common Council Community Investment and Zoning & Annexation Committees & City of South Bend V Indiana Filed in Clerk's Office '; ··· JUL 1 3 2026 \h,,• •· ~ Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South Bend, IN
• A short-term rental (STR) is a home or room rented to guests for fewer than 30 days, usually via platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo • Increased market for STRs has led to growing concerns: • Noise, parking, and trash complaints -and occasional "party house" disruptions resulting in public safety concerns • Absentee, non-owner-occupied operators with no local contact when problems arise • Enforcement today is largely complaint-driven, with limited tools to respond • Whole-home rentals can reduce housing available for long-term residents, as well as increase the cost of available housing • STR land use not currently addressed in Municipal Code [5} Cit~ of South Bend -><:<"-:~ Indzana
Legal Considerations for STR Regulation • Short-term rental rules in Indiana are largely set by state law • STR Chapter of Indiana Code continues to receive attention and amendments from General Assembly • Cities must follow Indiana Code when updating local ordinances • South Bend cannot prohibit short-term rentals but can regulate them • The goal is clear rules and expectations for owners and neighborhood compatibility, within state limits f,;J Cit~ of South Bend cs_,~-"· -Indzana •• ,ll!t•i
m\l • f~\ City of South Bend ~<~/ Indiana Cities cannot ban short-term rentals Owner-occupied homes must be allowed to operate as short-term rentals I M Cities cannot cap or limit the total number of short-term rentals Short-term rentals cannot be regulated more harshly than similar homes
m\l REQUIRE SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO HAVE A CITY PERMIT .f~\. City of South Bend ,~(;< Indiana • •ira ENFORCE BUILDING, FIRE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY CODES ~ ENFORCE NOISE AND NUISANCE ORDINANCES ~ REQUIRE OWNER CONTACT AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ~ ESTABLISH A SHORT-TERM RENTAL USE AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION
1\I • (f) ~ Short-term rentals will be required to obtain a city permit Properties must meet basic safety and property maintenance standards Owners must provide a local or emergency contact Permits can be revoked after three (3) violations
• m\l ~ .,,, v d Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals require a special exception for a Short Term Rental Use This is handled through the zoning process for special exceptions Must meet all requirements for a special exception pursuant to the Municipal Code Short Term Rental Use defined as holding a permit, ensuring consistency in regulatory framework between ordinances
• Better information on who to contact if issues arise • Clear enforcement tools when properties cause problems • Consistent rules applied fairly across all neighborhoods • Focus on reducing impacts, not eliminating short-term rentals i~) Cit~ of South Bend ~/'~;_;;{ Indzana Short-term rentals cannot be banned under Indiana law City may not enforce limits on how many short-term rentals may exist citywide Permit and Special Exception frameworks enhance oversight of STRs Existing noise and nuisance rules apply the same as any home, and repeat citations subject properties to permit revocation