Richmond wants to know what you think of the ‘Airbnb’ short-term rental code, the potential elimination of parking requirements for new developments

Two years after adopting codes regulating the short-term rental of accommodation through digital platforms such as AirbnbRichmond city officials are preparing to revise the rules to address lingering concerns.

The city is considering the changes alongside two other significant changes to the city’s zoning code: the potential elimination of parking requirements for new developments and new rules allowing residential owners to build and rent a second home or an apartment without a garage on their land.

Specific ordinances have yet to be introduced, but the city said Thursday it will hold a series of community meetings this month to share information about potential changes and gather public input ahead of legislative hearings this fall. .

Under the city’s short-term rental code adopted in June 2020, Airbnb and other short-term rental operators must reside in their rental units – or a house on the property – for at least 185 days of the year. The number of nights per year that each short-term rental can operate is unlimited.

The rules also require tenants to pay a $300 fee every two years for a short-term rental permit, but few operators have actually obtained the permit.

In a presentation to a January meeting where the Planning Commission voted to reassess the codePlanning Director Kevin Vonck said there have been about 600 to 800 rentals listed online at various times since the ordinance was passed, but the city has only received 84 permit applications .

The other two zoning changes under consideration are also based on resolutions passed by City Council and the Planning Commission.

As part of the city’s new Richmond 300 master plan for growth and development over the next 20 years, a section of the 262-page document recommends that the city allow “secondary suites” with certain regulations in “all residential areas”.

The purpose of the recommendation is to encourage the development of more housing throughout the city and increase density along transit corridors and areas targeted for more development, such as Downtown, Southside Plaza , the Richmond Freeway Corridor and the Greater Scott’s Addition area.

Proponents of secondary suites say more of them would also help create more affordable housing options for people struggling to find accommodation in the city.

Seeking to reduce construction costs for new apartments, homes, and offices, 1st District Councilman Andreas Addison proposed that the city study the possibility of eliminating parking requirements for new development projects.

While some council members said they were skeptical of the idea, fearing it would lead to significant on-street parking constraints and complaints from residents and businesses, Vonck said that he thought the idea was worth considering as surface parking lots in new developments can cost around $10,000 to $20,000.

“We are built and our borders cannot expand, so we have to make the most efficient use of our land,” Vonck said last year. “Surface parking lots are definitely one of the most inefficient uses of this land.”