Watson calls for a delay on new STR rules

Mayor Kirk Watson is recommending a delay on new short-term rental regulations, pending action at the state Legislature on the topic. “In my view, we are not ready to make some of the key decisions and won’t be by Thursday. For me, I want us to be in consistent dialogue with leaders at the Capitol regarding the best approaches to addressing regulation of STRs. Additionally, I would like to see the City moving on licensing improvements and making the cost more in line with peer cities before instituting a new regulatory scheme. And, there are legal concerns that I would like answered,” wrote Watson in a post on the City Council Message Board. To that end, he recommends that Council move forward with a vote to move STR regulations from the Land Development Code with changes to the actual policy on hold for the meantime, leaving current regulations in place while details are worked out with the state. As for the related item on Hotel Occupancy Tax collection, Watson was agnostic and open to moving forward or pushing for a delay on Thursday.