Council reviews draft short‑term rental ordinance with registration, inspections and complaint process

City staff presented a draft ordinance to regulate short‑term rentals (STRs) in Aransas Pass that would create definitions, require annual registration with a local contact available 24/7, set occupancy and seasonal trash requirements and establish a complaint-driven enforcement process.

Joseph (Speaker 9) said the draft includes clear definitions (owner, operator, occupant), registration and permitting provisions, and a 24‑7 local contact requirement so an operator can respond to issues such as plumbing failures or noise. The draft proposes seasonal trash-tote standards for peak tourism months (March 1–Sept. 8) and a registration fee (staff suggested $150 with a $100 annual renewal, both subject to council discretion). The permit would include an initial safety inspection at registration; staff said the inspection is an initial check to ensure the property is safe for occupants and that it would not be a continuous warrantless re‑inspection process.

The ordinance would set a complaint and appeals process: more than three verified complaints could subject a property to suspension or removal of STR status, with an internal appeals process starting at the department level and ultimately to council if needed. Staff said about 25 properties have registered with the office to date, and recommended outreach (utility-bill flyer and web postings) to reach additional owners.

Councilors asked about inspection authority and Fourth Amendment concerns; staff and other council members said refusal to allow an inspection could result in permit withdrawal, and that the inspection framework would mirror other business safety checks (initial inspections for hotels and similar businesses). Staff said they can amend the online form to capture whether a new water account is intended for STR use to improve outreach.