South Bend Weighs New Short-Term Rental Permit Rules

Key Takeaways

South Bend is considering two bills that would create new permitting requirements for short-term rentals
The proposals would require annual permits and contact information for STR owners
No vote was taken Monday, and the measures still have more steps before reaching the full council

South Bend is taking another step toward new rules for its growing short-term rental market.

Two proposed bills covering vacation rentals moved through a joint committee discussion last week, as city officials continue working through how short-term rental properties should be permitted and regulated.

The proposals would create annual permit requirements for short-term rental owners and require them to provide contact information to the city. Some properties could also need additional zoning approval before operating.

“It’s based on what we hear from the community, and that’s what we’re here as elected officials is to hear from the community and try to make the best decision possible,” said President of the Common Council and first District Councilmember Canneth Lee, according to local ABC affiliate WBND-LD news. “I think it is important that we do talk to people, and people do give their input because that’s part of being part of a democracy and part of government and being a resident is all about.”

The discussion comes as South Bend, the home to the University of Notre Dame, has seen the number of short-term rentals climb in recent years. Earlier local reports estimated more than 1,500 listings across the northern Indiana city.

City officials have been working on the issue for more than a year as residents and council members raise questions about noise, parking, trash and large gatherings at some properties.

South Bend weighs annual permits for STR owners

Under the proposed framework, short-term rental owners would have to renew their permits each year and provide the city with contact information for someone who can respond if a problem comes up at the property.

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The city is also considering how zoning should factor into the process, including when a short-term rental may need a special exception before guests can be booked.

“I think in these next coming weeks, as we start to learn even more, at the end we’ll be able to look at something and see how it’s going to impact short-term rentals,” said Lee.

South Bend is not starting from scratch.

Council members have also been looking at how other Indiana communities handle short-term rental permits as they work through the details of their own proposal.

Last week’s meeting did not produce a final decision. The committees discussed the two bills but did not take a vote, and no date has been announced for when either proposal could reach the full Common Council.

That means South Bend’s current short-term rental rules remain unchanged for now while council members continue working through the permit and zoning details.