Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:
There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said ordinance was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.
AN ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE TO ITEMIZE AND LEVY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS AND APPURTENANCES THERETO IN THE CITY OF OAKWOOD, OHIO.
A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.
Mr. Stephens explained that this ordinance is the fourth and final legislative step of the 2018 Sidewalk, Curb, and Driveway Apron Project. It itemizes sidewalk repair costs that have not already been paid directly by affected homeowners and authorizes these costs to be assessed by the Montgomery County Auditor.
Thereupon, it was moved by Mr. Stephens and seconded by Mr. Epley that the second reading be waived and that the ordinance be passed tonight.
Mayor Duncan noted that a four out of five yes vote is required in order to waive the second reading of the ordinance.
Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:
There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said ordinance was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.
AN ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING NEW SECTION 17-801, SHORT-TERM RENTALS PROHIBITED, OF THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AND MAKING RELATED AMENDMENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROHIBITION OF SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTALS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.
Vice Mayor Byington explained that this is an ordinance to prohibit the use of residential properties for short-term or transient rentals, which are defined as rentals having a term of 25 consecutive calendar days or less.
Short-term rentals are becoming increasingly common with the proliferation of services, smartphone apps, and online portals in the so-called "gig economy." Until now, City Council has chosen not to regulate them, treating them no different than a traditional rental property, on the belief that existing laws can adequately address noise, littering, criminal violations, property maintenance issues, and any other problems that arise.
The city of Oakwood is beginning to receive complaints about residential properties being used for short-term rentals and the number of Oakwood homes and rooms listed on websites continues to increase. City Council is mindful of the private property rights of each homeowner, but are also aware that an entire neighborhood can be disrupted when a home is used to host an ever-changing cast of short-term tenants.