Resident raises alarm about 'crash pads' as Irving staff outlines short-term rental ordinance timeline

A resident told the Irving City Council on March 12 she had identified online listings she described as "crash pads" that advertise bunk beds to airport personnel and nightly turnover, then urged the city to act to protect neighborhoods. Staff later updated council members on short-term rental regulation work and timeline.

"My name is Gretchen Brosh. I live at 2804 Lago Vista Loop," said the public commenter, who said she serves on her homeowners association board and that neighbors alerted her about a house with multiple occupants arriving nightly. Brosh said online listings did not include addresses or phone numbers but featured photos of bunk-bedded rooms and language indicating they worked with airport personnel. She said she reported the listing to code enforcement and received a response that staff needed more information.

Code Enforcement Director Shane Diller told the council staff had continued work following prior direction, preparing ordinance drafts for short-term-rental registration and related requirements. Diller said the registration and regulatory ordinance should be ready sooner than the zoning component; staff plans to mail about 60,000 notices to property owners and anticipates planning-and-zoning and council consideration in June or July.

Council members discussed legal constraints at the state level and potential preemption. Staff and council noted prior litigation in other Texas cities and suggested the council may need both defensive and proactive state-level approaches. One council member said executive session and legal advice will be needed before finalizing some measures.

No formal action was recorded on March 12; staff said it would continue drafting ordinances, coordinate with the city attorney on legal questions, and return with materials ahead of public notices and zoning hearings.