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For Austin residents considering renting their home to visitors during South by Southwest, the deadline to acquire a short-term rental license is approaching. The city requires everyone who leases their property as a short-term rental to acquire a license through the Austin Code Department’s Short-Term Rental Licensing Program by Feb. 28. The Austin Code Department is encouraging the community to utilize social media for questions regarding short-term rentals. Experts are available to answer questions at Twitter handle @Austin_Code using hashtag #ATXSTR. For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/STR.

Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government,...