PLANO, Texas — In a unanimous vote that drew attendees' applause, Plano City Council moved to bar new short-term rentals from opening in single-family neighborhoods.
Existing Airbnbs and VRBOs may continue their operations, regardless of their location. They'll be grandfathered into the city's new, permanent short-term rental ordinance.
But the decision to prevent additional vacation homes from opening in traditional neighborhoods is a victory for dozens of meeting attendees who told council members "enough is enough."
“There’s an old saying that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. It’s not staying in Vegas. We are importing it right here into Plano," Plano Texas Neighborhood Coalition leader Bill France told WFAA. "People misbehave when they’re on vacation. We don’t want that misbehavior to occur where our children ride their bicycles and play in the streets.”
A string of high-profile crimes linked to short-term rentals sparked initial conversations about a permanent ordinance in 2022. In one case, authorities allege a Plano short-term rental was operating as a brothel.
In 2023, Plano temporarily banned new short-term rentals from opening in the city. The move allowed a special task force time to study best practices for municipal regulation of short-term rentals.
Monday's vote represented the culmination of two years' work. The council meeting continued past 10 p.m.
New short-term rentals may open in certain parts of the city zoned for commercial use.
Members also adopted an ordinance which will require short-term rental owners to register their operation with the city. Proponents contend the rule will help officials hold accountable Airbnb and VRBO owners who host rowdy tenants.
City staff told the council they expect the ordinances to take effect by the end of April.