Key Takeaways
- South Bend has roughly 1,500 short-term rental properties, with city officials saying the number has continued to grow since 2020
- Complaints involving noise, parking, trash and a shots-fired incident have added pressure for the city to establish formal rules
- City leaders are studying short-term rental ordinances in other Indiana communities before bringing a proposal to the Common Council
Now that South Bend, Indiana’s short-term rental market has grown to roughly 1,500 properties, city leaders are deciding whether it’s time for a formal rulebook.
The northern Indiana city, best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame, is preparing to hold a public hearing on possible short-term rental regulations after complaints involving noise, parking, trash and safety concerns, according to the South Bend Tribune.
South Bend officials say the number of properties listed on platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo has steadily climbed since 2020, putting more attention on how the city handles vacation rentals as they become a larger part of local neighborhoods.
“The increased market for short-term rentals has led to some growing concerns in the community that’s come to the city’s attention,” South Bend City Attorney Jenna Throw said.
Meanwhile, Common Council member Oliver Davis said city leaders are trying to balance the continued growth of short-term rentals with concerns from residents,
“We are a city that is know for our sports teams, known for our graduations. And so we have about over 1,500 people, properties, that are short term rentals. And so we are now looking at what we can do to manage them,” said Davis, according to local outlet WSBT-TV.
Complaints push South Bend toward short-term rental rules
The conversation became louder after several neighborhood complaints and at least one serious incident.
ABC57 reported that city officials pointed to a shots-fired call connected to a large gathering at a short-term rental, where nearby homes and vehicles were damaged.
That incident, along with more routine complaints about noise, parking and trash, has city leaders looking at how other Indiana communities regulate short-term rentals before deciding what should happen in South Bend.
Related: Tampa Bay-area county’s proposed short-term rental rules stall after tie vote
No ordinance had been introduced to the full council as of the city’s July meeting, and officials said a formal proposal would come later in the summer.
This is just the beginning of the conversation in Indiana.
That means South Bend’s roughly 1,500 short-term rental owners are not facing new rules just yet, but the upcoming public hearing could provide the clearest look so far at what the city may eventually require.
Short-term rental owners who own properties in this market should be present for any upcoming conversations on a new ordinance.
MORE STR NEWS:
- Georgia judge upholds Tybee Island’s short-term rental rules
- Utah fire victims get free Airbnb housing
- Airbnb reports strong second quarter as revenue rises 17 percent and North American bookings grow at fastest pace in nearly 3 years
- Vrbo’s parent company Expedia reports strong second quarter as revenue rises 14 percent and room nights climb
- Tampa Bay-area county’s proposed short-term rental rules stall after tie vote
