The Tybee Island City Council is taking new steps to address concerns regarding short-term rental properties.
Community members voiced their opinions on the new STR ordinance at a recent city council meeting.
Tybee city leaders said any ordinance change would intend to control the number of short-term rentals in three residential zones on the island.
Under the new ordinance, current non-conforming use within these residential zones could continue if the owner can prove the property is rented out at least 90 days out of the year.
However, no new STR permits will be issued for these zones moving forward.
Savannah lawyer Patrick Connell who represents Tybee Alliance spoke at Thursday's council meeting.
He said restricting property owners' rights in this way is against Georgia state law, and the changes would not hold up if challenged in court.
"If it acts without the requisite power, everyone in this room and everyone in this city will suffer because there are consequences when cities restrict protected property rights unconstitutionally and in violation of state law," Connell said.
The city's discussion on STRs began after growing complaints from residents that the rental properties were ruining the neighborhood feel of the island with loud noise and too many cars parked on the streets.
"Neighbors give to other neighbors something that no amount of tax dollars or the best-behaved stranger who lives next door to us for a few days could ever provide," Forever Tybee chair Shirley Wright said. "They know us. They care about us. They take care of us when we need help."
Council member Monty Parks said they aren't trying to take current permits away but rather control the growth of STRs.
Some residents said they do not rent out their properties for 90 days a year, but they rely on the extra income for the short periods they do, and these changes would impact their permit status, whether intended or not.
Others like Mark Conway question why there is no recognition for STR owners who operate their businesses in compliance with the city's guidelines.
"I have owned these properties over the years, and I have had zero complaints, zero issues, zero problems," Conway said. "I comply. I pay taxes. I have done everything I have been suggested to do."
The ordinance would also allow the council moving forward to impose caps on the number of STRs in non-residential areas, but they have yet to set a number.
Councilman Brian West pushed for the motion to remove the part of the ordinance limiting one parking spot per bedroom plus one on the property.
Thursday was the first reading of the new ordinance. A second will occur at the next council meeting on October 13 before any of these new rules are set in stone.