Brentwood Readies For Battle Over Airbnb Ban

BRENTWOOD, TN — Last week, two state lawmakers filed a bill which not only would set statewide regulations on short-term rental properties — like those found using services like Airbnb or HomeAway — but would also overturn local bans on the practice. Brentwood is one of several Tennessee cities that have banned STRPs and the city is gearing up to fight the law.

The Brentwood City Commission unanimously approved a resolution at its meeting Monday that opposes “any legislation that would limit the ability of local governments to regulate the locations of short-term rental properties." In addition, the commission agreed to hire a lobbyist to fight the bill in Nashville. For more on state legislation that affects you, local news and breaking updates, subscribe to the Brentwood Patch or find your local Middle Tennessee Patch.

Last week, two rural Republican lawmakers introduced the bill, which was written in conjunction with Airbnb and HomeAway, which would remove local power from regulating the properties. In 2009, Brentwood passed a city ordinance which banned the renting of residential property for a period of less than three months. Still, residents who spoke at Monday's meeting said plenty of properties within the city were listed on sites like Airbnb. Indeed, a quick search of Airbnb and Homeaway showed a dozen or more available rentals in Brentwood for the first week of March.

“All the time we hear the state complaining about the federal government interfering in our business,” said Wanda Bruce Graham, according to The Tennessean. “But that is exactly what they are trying to do here. They are trying to take the ability away from the residents who live in this community to decide what kind of community we want to live in.”

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