Homes, not Hotels
Short-term lodging is a business activity defined in City Code and State statutes as “stays of less than 30 days”. Airbnb began as a way to rent out rooms on a short-term basis in occupied homes, but now absentee owners are exploiting and running full-time “hotels” in residential neighborhoods.
Data from Host Compliance in presentation to City Council as of June, 2019
In October 2018…
Colorado Springs City Council voted to change the City’s zoning code to allow STRs (Short-Term Rentals) in ALL residential zones, including R1. In December 2019, a wise primary residency requirement was added for R-1 properties, but not for any other residential zones. The hundreds of operators who already had a permit from the City by then are allowed to continue to use those homes exclusively for commercial lodging.
STRs are exploding in popularity
In June 2017, there were 1,241 listings on HomeAway and Airbnb in Colorado Springs. In June 2019, there were 2,673 active STR listings in Colorado Springs. These listings now impact numerous Colorado Springs neighbors, many “suffering in silence”. If current growth rates remain steady, there will be 11,000+ STRs in Colorado Springs within 4-5 years, impacting 1 in 8 households.
Security concerns
Between May and October of 2019, 20 people werekilled and 30 wounded in shootings at non-owner-occupied STRs just in the United States. It’s also impossible for neighbors to know backgrounds (e.g., sex offenders) of large rotating groups right next to their families.
STRs disrupt quiet neighborhoods
Short-term rental owners and vacationers don't have the same interest or commitment in the neighborhood, which in the end threatens the neighborhood’s fabric and quality of life. Vacationers do not share neighbors’ concerns and absentee owners cannot regulate, leaving neighbors unfairly on the hook to police and report issues.
Distorts housing market
1,300+ Colorado Springs homes have been taken from the marketplace, making it more difficult for families to buy or rent long term. For perspective, there were only 2,199 homes for sale in July 2019 and 1,709 in October 2020.
Residents are powerless…
…without City action to eliminate short-term rentals in neighborhoods which are zoned residential. An HOA alone will not necessarily help you.
Limit STRs…
…to areas zoned for commercial/hotel businesses and allow STRs in residential neighborhoods only on owner-occupied property.