EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — City leaders in El Paso are taking steps to formally define short-term rentals in the city code, a move that could impact homeowners.
For years, short-term rentals have operated without a clear definition, leading to confusion and concerns among residents about noise and parking issues.
RECOMMENDED: ICE confirms New Year’s Eve immigration raid in Far East El Paso, four apprehended
Heidy Seoenz, president of the El Paso Short Term Rental Alliance, emphasized the importance of this definition.
“We are good neighbors that we represent El Paso. We represent the El Paso community. And we offer hospitality and we offer a supply to a demand that the city has,” she said.
Seoenz clarified that the proposed definition does not introduce new ordinances, registration, or permits.
“All that it’s doing is defining short term rentals so that it’s no longer in a great area and can be legally used,” she explained.
The definition aims to distinguish short-term rentals from other types of lodging, such as bed and breakfasts.
Seoenz noted, “It was very confusing for the city to identify that short-term rentals are this way and then bed and breakfast are a different way.”
RECOMMENDED: CREEED honors top-performing schools in El Paso
Existing ordinances related to noise, nuisance, and garbage will continue to apply, Seoenz stressed.
“So your noise ordinance, that is itself its own ordinance that gets enforced,” she said.
The proposed definition is set to go up for a vote and public comment on Feb. 3.
If approved, it would formally define short-term rentals in the city code and opens the door to future ordinances and rules.
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.