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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Wilmington City Council Takes On Short-Term Rentals

Vince Winkel
/
WHQR Public Radio
Since 2016, city staff have been working on regulations for short-term rentals.

Tuesday night the Wilmington City Council will hold a public hearing on short-term rental regulations. For more than two years, city staff and stakeholders have debated and studied the issue.  

UPDATE: City Council passed the ordinance Tuesday night, 4 - 2. 

Since 2016, city staff have been working on regulations for short-term rentals.

Think Airbnb.

Last week, the city published its proposal on the city website. (Read the proposal here)

It would allow homestay lodging in residential districts and whole-house and homestay lodging in some commercial and mixed-use districts.

Homestay lodging is renting out a room to someone in a home where the owner also lives.

Whole-house lodging lets the owner rent the entire house to someone for no more than 29 consecutive days.

The proposal does not include regulations for whole-house lodging in residential districts. That means you could not do that within city limits.

City officials researched several cities, including Asheville, to come up with their proposal.

Opponents to short term rentals are worried about rentals being allowed in otherwise residential neighborhoods. Supporters want the opportunity to make money.

Tonight’s meeting may result in a vote, or more revisions to the current proposal.

The meeting is in City Council Chambers, at Thalian Hall, and begins at 6:30.