The Birmingham City Commission approved new steps to tighten oversight of short-term rental properties, following a shooting last month at an Airbnb on East Lincoln Street.
At a regular meeting Monday night, the commission discussed the actions after shots were fired at the home following a party, sparking a debate on how to regulate rental properties while still being fair to property owners. Police detained several people after the incident, including one person found with a handgun, authorities said. No injuries were reported.
Last week, commissioners passed a moratorium pausing new short-term rentals of 30 days or less for the next six months.
Officials said the city’s updated approach is aimed at improving accountability and enforcement for rentals listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
Under the new measures:
- All short-term rental licenses will terminate April 15th each year.
- Property owners will be required to submit a new annual application outlining updated expectations, including naming a responsible party for code violations or emergencies.
- City staff will hold monthly meetings with police and code enforcement focused on rental enforcement.
- Complaints will be investigated by the building department and code enforcement.
- The city will amend its landlord code of conduct.
City Attorney Mary Kucharek said the rental license of the owner of the home on East Lincoln Street has been revoked, although the owner will have an opportunity to appeal.
Kucharek said while the city cannot retroactively revoke licenses that have already been approved without cause, the city can choose not to renew licenses when they expire on April 15, if the city were to enact a ban on short-term rentals in residential areas down the line.
Mayor Clinton Baller said going forward, if police are called to a short-term rental or any rental, the department will also notify the city’s building department and code enforcement.“Police and code enforcement will do all they can, but residents, you’re the ones that live right next door to these rental properties and we’re going to rely on you, to some extent, to be our eyes and ears,” Baller said.