Carmel council introduces resolution to suspend short-term rental rules on select 2026 dates

Councilor Worrell moved to introduce a resolution (CC03022601) that would suspend enforcement of Unified Development Ordinance section 5.72 on specified days in 2026 so that additional short-term lodging options are available during major events.

The councilor said the suspension reflects the mayor's submitted dates and cited examples such as the Indy 500, Thanksgiving and the Carmel Marathon as times when hotels may be full. "This approves date submitted by the mayor for the suspension of the Unified Development Ordinance section 5.72, short term residential rentals in 2026," the councilor said while reading the proposed date ranges into the record. He read multiple date ranges for April, May, July, August, September, October and November that would be affected.

The resolution is intended to allow families and visitors to find lodging inside Carmel during large events rather than being forced to stay in neighboring communities. President Snyder noted the purpose: "We want people staying in Carmel, not McCordsville or downtown where the closest room might be." The motion to introduce the resolution was moved and seconded during the meeting; the transcript does not show a subsequent roll-call vote or final adoption.

The proposal lists specific date ranges for 2026 (as read into the record): early and mid-April windows, late-April spans, select May days, early and late July windows, August long-weekend spans, a September date, Oct. 10, and Nov. 25'27. The councilor said the item follows an annual practice of listing dates when the short-term rental limits would be relaxed for event periods, and that the ordinance caps the total number of days that may be suspended in a year.

Next steps: The resolution was introduced for council consideration; staff follow-up and a formal vote are expected at a future meeting, but no vote outcome appears in the provided transcript.