On Monday, Oct. 28, members of the Athens City Council looked to regulate the growing short-term residential rental market within the city’s limits — like Airbnb and Vrbo — unanimously passing a resolution which proposed amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance concerning such properties.

“We are trying to get our arms around this now. We would like to get this under control before it ever becomes a serious issue here,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks told The News Courier after the council’s meeting at city hall concluded. “I recently just got back from a 15 state leadership conference, and every state there had struggles with short-term rental properties. That’s when it hit me how urgent this issue is, and we needed to act to protect our neighborhoods in the future.”

According to city planner Erin Tidwell, who delivered a presentation to the council members in favor of the resolution during their work session, the current zoning ordinance allows for transient lodging use — but does not directly address nor define short-term rental properties.

Tidwell noted that the resolution is part of a two-phase approach that sets a 90-day moratorium on any new short-term residential rentals, while also providing a 30-day window for any existing short-term rental properties.

“Essentially, we are looking to lay the groundwork on regulations for short-term rentals that clearly defines exactly what they are,” Tidwell said. “Because, if those issues do arise in the future, we want to make sure we have those solutions already established.”

While the resolution seeks to define clearer guidelines for short-term rental operators — ensuring they comply with the city’s health, safety and zoning regulations — it will also require operators to obtain a business license.

However, before any amendments can be made to the city’s zoning ordinance, Tidwell said the passed amendments will have to go before the city’s planning commission and then undergo multiple rounds of public hearings before action can be taken.

“These amendments will talk about how we regulate short-term rentals as a supplemental use within the city’s zoning ordinance,” Tidwell said. “Now, the city does not regulate or enforce HOAs (Homeowners Associations), because they have the ability to adopt their own rules in their communities. They could regulate the use of short-term rentals in their own communities, which could lead to them prohibiting it completely.”

In other business, the council:

— Elected District 3 councilman James Lucas as the next president of the Athens City Council, setting his term from Nov. 4 to Oct. 31, 2025.

— Elected District 4 councilman Wayne Harper as president pro tem of the Athens City Council, setting his term limit from Nov. 4 to Oct. 31, 2025.