Oklahoma City Council adopts ‘home-share’ rules

The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday agreed to require licenses for residential property converted for overnight rentals, commonly known as “Airbnbs.”

The vote followed months of debate.

“I think what we’ve gotten here is a good balance of property rights versus use, safety versus expansion, preservation versus moving forward with the times,” said Ward 3 Councilman Larry McAtee.

The council is responding to the growing popularity of Airbnb and HomeAway, online sites where property owners can advertise rooms or houses for short-term stays.

Regulations will require property owners, or “hosts,” starting Feb. 14, to:

• Get an annual $24 license for each property offered for rent.

• Pay $300 and apply for a “special exception” to zoning regulations unless they live in the residence.

Owners of property in historic preservation districts must live in the home they offer for rent, obtain a special exception, and be present at the time of rental.

The requirement for special exceptions provides for neighbors to be notified and afforded a chance to comment before the Board of Adjustment approves a home-share.

Attorney Eric Groves, who lives in the Edgemere Park Historic District and was speaking on the district’s behalf, said home-sharing is an economic matter.

“We’re not outlawing them with this ordinance,” Groves said, “we’re simply regulating them so that, if you want to be in that business, you should have the support of your neighbors.

“And if neighbors are opposed to it,” he said, “they’ll have an opportunity to object. That’s not an unreasonable system.”

The city estimates there are a few hundred Oklahoma City homes being offered as short-term rentals.

Regulations require that properties meet health and safety standards. Taxes must be paid.

“This is a dreamcome-true way of renting property for a lot of property owners,” said Rob Littlefield, who rents several properties on Airbnb.

Airbnb hosts do a better job of upkeep than many landlords, benefiting their neighbors: “It’s a dream come true for the neighborhoods that they’re in,” he said.