Key Takeaways
- Greenville, North Carolina is considering new zoning and permitting rules for short-term rentals
- Three violations within 12 months could lead to a property’s zoning permit being revoked
- Existing STR owners would have one year to obtain a permit, while new rentals would need one immediately
Short-term rental owners in one North Carolina college town could soon face a three-strikes rule for breaking local regulations.
Greenville, located about 85 miles east of Raleigh and home to East Carolina University, is considering new zoning and permitting rules that could eventually cost repeat offenders their ability to operate.
The City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposal that would limit short-term rentals to certain zoning districts and require owners to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance, according to The Daily Reflector.
The proposal would prohibit exterior advertising and oversized gatherings at short-term rental properties.
Short-term rental hosts could also face a penalty structure if they don’t comply with the rules.
A first violation would bring a $100 fine, followed by $250 for a second offense within 12 months. Additional violations would cost $500 each.
Three violations within a year could lead the city to revoke the property’s zoning compliance permit entirely.
Existing Greenville STR owners would get one year to comply
The rules wouldn’t hit existing and future rentals at the same time.
Owners already operating short-term rentals would have one year to obtain the required zoning compliance permit. Any new STR opening after the rules take effect would need a permit before beginning operations.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended the changes on July 21 after officials heard concerns involving noise, parking and trash tied to short-term rental guests.
Related: South Bend weighs new short-term rental rules as listings climb to 1,500
If approved, the zoning restrictions would determine where new short-term rentals can operate while the permitting system would give the city a clearer enforcement path when owners repeatedly violate the rules.
The proposal comes as other cities are also revisiting how vacation rentals fit into residential neighborhoods. Duluth, Minnesota, for example, is considering stopping new short-term rental licenses in single-family homes altogether.
Greenville’s council is expected to take up the STR proposal during its Thursday meeting. If approved, the city would still need to establish when the new permitting requirements officially begin.
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