In early 2017, the City of Savannah began to re-evaluate the short-term vacation rental (STVR) use. Specifically, this included a review of the certification process and the growth of this use. The certification process is known as “Administrative Enhancements.” The zoning portion is known as “Growth Management.”

In March and April of this year, the Department of Tourism Management and Ambassadorship held meetings with stakeholders, including neighborhood associations (Downtown, Victorian and Thomas Square/Mid-City), as well as the Short-term Vacation Rental Owners Association, Share Savannah, Tourism Leadership Council and representatives for the websites Expedia/Home Away.

The intent of the meetings was to address concerns (mostly from residents in the Historic and Victorian Districts) and work towards a solution in which all parties could find agreement. The Administrative Enhancements portion amendments to the certification ordinance was approved by City Council on August 3, 2017.

The Growth Management portion addresses zoning; specifically, the STVR use conditions. The text amendments propose to revise use conditions to: 1) limit the number of non-owner-occupied parcels that can have a vacation rental use within certain zoning districts within a ward; and, 2) limit the number of transient guests within the rental dwelling. These amendments are intended to help the more residential portions the Historic and Victorian districts retain long-term residents and to reduce impacts attributed to transient guests, such as noise and on-street parking.

Approval.