Short-Term Rental Ordinance History
It is important to note that ordinances must be taken into the context of the time and environment during which they were proposed. Contact me for details or perspective concerning any of the following ordinances that are listed.
Short Term Ordinance:
Co-Author with the Planning Dept. and Ordinance sponsor.
Key requirements for obtaining a permit
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Owner information
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Fifty-mile maximum property contact
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Proof of payment of taxes
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Insurance requirements commiserate with rental occupation
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Property inspection for visitor safety
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Occupancy limits of three people per bedroom
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Septic system inspections
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Three strike citations
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Annual Permitting requirements
Passed Council: Doug Fowler, Larry Wilms, John Flynn, Jim Wozniack voted yes. Jerry Snow, Steve Bourke voted no.
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Challenged in District Court and injunction issued based on comments of constitutional concerns, although those concerns were not identified or documented.
New STR Version Passed Council With Less Requirements:
Key requirements for obtaining a permit
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Owner information
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Fifty-mile maximum property contact
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Proof of payment of taxes
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Three strike citations
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Annual Permitting requirements
Passed Council: Doug Fowler, Larry Wilms, Craig Honchell, Jim Wozniack voted yes. Wendy Hughes and Jerry Snow voted no.
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Challenged In District Court and upheld.
City settled with plaintiffs for $11,000 and “no fault” to end challenges permanently.
SB197 Proposed Early 2023: STR State legislation statute sponsored by State Senator Josh Bryant, Rogers, and co-sponsored by State House Rep Brit McKenzie, also of Rogers, that would deny Arkansas cities of the ability to regulate short-term rentals.
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The statute passed the Arkansas State Senate in a late-night vote by a 26 – 3 vote. The Statute was then moved to the Arkansas State House for consideration.
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Five residents of Bella Vista and myself along with people representing other Arkansas cities, made three trips to Little Rock to sit before the Arkansas House legislature, The City, County and Public Affairs Committee, to speak against the statute. Ultimately, the proposal failed by a 9-8 vote and didn’t get out of the committee to the floor of the Arkansas House to be voted on by the entire House legislation. So, the SB197 legislation failed.
It is stated that there will be another try by the Arkansas State Legislature, driven by NWA Arkansas State representatives with a statute that mirrors the past SB197 bill. The legislation is more than likely driven by all of the following or a combination of: individuals, LLCs, corporate owners, online booking companies and real estate developers. You will be notified!