Tybee Island planning commission recommends short-term rental ordinance for approval

An ordinance that would over time significantly reduce the number of short-term rentals on Tybee Island took another step forward this week.

The planning commission recommended for approval the controversial short-term rental ordinance — which would slowly eliminate STRs in those areas through attrition, after the island banned the issuance of STRs in residential areas in October 2022 — during its Monday meeting

Councilmember Nick Sears proposed an ordinance in February that would reduce the number of STRs in residential districts by terminating their permits upon sale of the home in R-1, R-1-B and R-2, which is most of the island.

A few residents came to the meeting to voice their concerns about the ordinance, with comments falling on either side of the argument. Tybee residents have been pushing city officials for changes that would allow them to "have their neighborhoods back" among a dwindling sense of community and disorderly rentals, according to those who spoke.

Property owners that oppose the ordinance say that STRs drive tourism and the Tybee economy, and that they bought their property as part of their retirement plan.

"There's been no discussion about the fact that we have 747 STRs in residential areas and saying well let's cut it back to half or to two-thirds," said Keith Gay, a resident and property owner. "But that's not what's going on, it's all or nothing, and I'm having a hard time understanding all or nothing. I would say it's creating a lot of chaos."

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The commission recommend for approval in a 3-1 vote, with one abstention from a member who "wasn't happy with the ordinance either way."

Beau Livingston, a planning commission member, voted against recommending the ordinance for approval, stating that his biggest concern was the loss of ability for people to keep a property in their family without a permit due to them potentially being unable to afford it without renting it out.

The ordinance will now move to Tybee Island City Council for a public hearing most likely at their next meeting on April 25 and a vote after the second reading on May 9. At a meeting in March, Mayor Brian West requested an economic impact study of the proposed ordinance.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Tybee Island short-term rental ordinance takes next step