Airbnb Causes Heartburn For Some Woodstock Leaders

WOODSTOCK, GA — The city of Woodstock is contending with the growth of the short-term rental market, a phenomenon that's become popular with travelers who are shunning the use of hotels as part of their excursions across the country.

Woodstock recently received a complaint of a home in the Deer Run subdivision being rented out by occupants who booked the site using Airbnb, a website that allows users to put their spaces up for rent on a short-term basis. The issue was brought before the City Council at its May 21 meeting.

City Manager Jeff Moon, who said a Council member asked the city to look into the issue, said several homes in the subdivision as well as in the Woodstock Downtown community have listings on the website. In some cases, the city manager notes homeowners associations can restrict these use within their neighborhoods, but the city is "quiet on the subject" as a whole.

Moon said if the City Council wanted to take any action, he would suggest elected officials adding regulations under the city's hotel/motel ordinance.

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Council member Rob Usher, who represents Ward 6, said he would support the city imposing some regulations and possibly considering the uses as part of the hotel/motel classification. On a personal level, Rusher said he has some concerns about homes being used by Airbnb tenants, as there are people who may show up at your neighbor's home and you may not be aware of who they are.

“I see it as a safety issue...and a nuisance," he added.

At least one other city, Sandy Springs, has tightened its restrictions on short-term rentals, which it described as renting part or all of a residence to the same guest for no more than 30 days. Some of the city's restrictions include barring short-term rentals in subsidized housing; requiring the property owner to obtain a business license and register the unit as a short-term rental; posting the city's noises ordinance in a visible location; and paying a business license fee and any applicable hotel/motel taxes.

Usher added he believed the city should be cautious, and keep in mind that Woodstock is not a tourist destination like Savannah or Charleston. Mayor Donnie Henriques pointed out that Woodstock and Cherokee County has a wildly popular trail system that attracts a lot of people.

Ward 2 Council member Colin Ake added while he understands the risk, he believes the vast majority of people like the flexibility of Airbnb. He said he would not be opposed to allowing the use as part of the hotel/motel ordinance.

The city manager added Woodstock has renters attending sporting events or tournaments at LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson who use Airbnb to find lodging. He also said millenials who travel prefer using the site over traditional hotel booking tools. For his example, his eldest daughter traveled throughout Europe last year and exclusively used Airbnb for boarding.

Ward 1 Council member Warren Johnson asked if the city's approach was "creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist." However, according to Usher, it's a "problem," as he's had neighbors who've complained to him about homes in Deer Run being used on Airbnb.

Tracy Collins, the Council member representing Ward 4, asked how would the city regulate the uses, as they are on private property. Moon points out the city regulates uses all the time through zoning.

"You can't open a McDonald's in your house because of zoning restrictions," he said. "This would be no different." He also advised against the city being "silent" on this issue.

Moon said city staff members can bring back examples where cities have either restricted or regulated Airbnb uses for the City Council to consider. The topic could be discussed as early as the June 11 Council meeting.

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