Read the full article on KETV 7
Omaha City Councilmember Ron Hug plans to introduce an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals like those offered by Airbnb and Vrbo. Hug asked the city legal staff to draft an ordinance that mirrors what the city of Lincoln has had since 2021. The proposal has not yet been formally presented to the city council. “There’s really nothing we can do at this point in time,” Hug told KETV. “Short of, you know, a severe building code violation.”Hug said he began to receive a “flurry” of complaints last fall on a short-term rental.AJ Sanford, who lives near the Airbnb, said it feels like she lives by a hotel.She said neighbors reached out to the Florida-based owner with their concerns.”It could bring drug trafficking, could bring sex trafficking, it could bring different elements to the neighborhood. We were essentially told it’s legal and it’s a business,” Sanford said. Lincoln’s ordinance requires short-term rental owners to apply for a license, pay $250 annually, and adhere to specific rules. It means the city can track the number of short-term rentals, which has consistently been around 400 to 450, a city official said. The city can also track and investigate complaints, with the ability to revoke licenses. Owners are also limited to hosting 12 guests in their rentals, or, if fewer, double the number of beds.Lincoln’s Planning and Development Director David Cary told KETV, “Even throughout the life of the short-term rental program, there haven’t been a lot of complaints, really. It’s pretty self-regulating. I mean, basically, you need to be providing a good service to have some success renting out your space.”Two years ago, a Sarpy County resident reported that as many as 18 guests would pack the rental next door for parties, prompting him to attempt to noise-proof his bedroom.Now, he tells KETV he spent thousands trying to sue the owner.”I’m all for people making money,” Hug told KETV. ”I’m all for people being as successful as they can be, but not at the expense of the property owners and the people living around the property.”Hug plans to hold a neighborhood meeting on the issue on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Firefighters Hall at 60th and Grover.
Omaha City Councilmember Ron Hug plans to introduce an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals like those offered by Airbnb and Vrbo.
Hug asked the city legal staff to draft an ordinance that mirrors what the city of Lincoln has had since 2021. The proposal has not yet been formally presented to the city council.
Advertisement
“There’s really nothing we can do at this point in time,” Hug told KETV. “Short of, you know, a severe building code violation.”
Hug said he began to receive a “flurry” of complaints last fall on a short-term rental.
AJ Sanford, who lives near the Airbnb, said it feels like she lives by a hotel.
She said neighbors reached out to the Florida-based owner with their concerns.
“It could bring drug trafficking, could bring sex trafficking, it could bring different elements to the neighborhood. We were essentially told it’s legal and it’s a business,” Sanford said.
Lincoln’s ordinance requires short-term rental owners to apply for a license, pay $250 annually, and adhere to specific rules. It means the city can track the number of short-term rentals, which has consistently been around 400 to 450, a city official said.
The city can also track and investigate complaints, with the ability to revoke licenses. Owners are also limited to hosting 12 guests in their rentals, or, if fewer, double the number of beds.
Lincoln’s Planning and Development Director David Cary told KETV, “Even throughout the life of the short-term rental program, there haven’t been a lot of complaints, really. It’s pretty self-regulating. I mean, basically, you need to be providing a good service to have some success renting out your space.”
Two years ago, a Sarpy County resident reported that as many as 18 guests would pack the rental next door for parties, prompting him to attempt to noise-proof his bedroom.
Now, he tells KETV he spent thousands trying to sue the owner.
“I’m all for people making money,” Hug told KETV. ”I’m all for people being as successful as they can be, but not at the expense of the property owners and the people living around the property.”
Hug plans to hold a neighborhood meeting on the issue on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Firefighters Hall at 60th and Grover.
