FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 5, 2014

The City of Savannah and Metropolitan Planning Commission will hold two public meetings on short-term residential rentals in order to obtain additional feedback from the community. Both sessions will be held at the MPC at 112 East State Street on the following dates:

• Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, June 17 at 4 p.m.

These meetings are being held in preparation for a future Council workshop.

As a popular destination, Savannah attracts visitors from around the world who prefer a home-like setting for their stay. As a result, Savannah has seen an increase in the number of people who wish to operate short-term residential rentals. This has led the City to evaluate how such uses are regulated, specifically addressing issues such as zoning, revenue, life-safety and building code compliance, and maintaining neighborhood quality.

City of Savannah and MPC staff have been in the process developing a strategy to address the issue of short-term residential units which are defined as the rental of a residence to travelers for less than 30 days. Discussion has also included the rental of individual bedrooms in an owner-occupied residence to travelers for less than 30 days.

A small group of owners, operators, residents, and tourism officials have joined City and MPC staff to review each of these areas and suggest changes that seek to balance the needs and desires of all interested parties. This process has resulted in a draft ordinance and zoning text amendment, which the City and MPC is now seeking public comment on.