Short-term-rental proposal on hold

The North Little Rock City Council may vote on a proposed ordinance regulating short-term rentals in the coming weeks.

The proposal would affect short-term rentals — homes or units that are rented out for a fee, much like Airbnb or Vrbo — and set rules regarding noise, garbage and parking, among other things, to the business license holder. The proposed ordinance was introduced before the council on Feb. 13, then read a second time on Feb. 27. The third reading, likely at the council’s next scheduled meeting on March 13, will be the first time the council would take a vote. The agenda for March 13 has not yet been released.

No one spoke for or against the proposal at last week’s council meeting.

One issue facing the council is whether the state Legislature will pass Senate Bill 197 — which would put some restrictions on Arkansas cities and counties from passing rules limiting people from using properties as short-term rentals.

The North Little Rock proposal, although presented and then given a second reading, has been on hold.

Mayor Terry Hartwick said at the Feb. 27 council meeting the North Little Rock proposal wasn’t moving forward with a vote until legislators decide what to do with their bill.

Until then, he said, “We’re kind of between what we can do and what we’re not able to do.”

But Council Member Debi Ross, who is co-sponsoring the North Little Rock proposal with Council Member Charlie Hight, said at the meeting that the state Legislature’s proposed bill is not the reason she agrees to hold off on a North Little Rock council vote. Rather, she said she wants the North Little Rock proposal read at three separate council meetings before there’s a vote.

“I want to make sure there’s full transparency and that we just don’t suspend all the rules and pass it on just one night,” Ross said.