El Paso city residents share concern about possible short-term rental regulations

EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — City of El Paso staff members on Thursday heard from El Pasoans about potential regulations for short-term rentals.

The city held two meetings, one in the morning at the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors Offices and a second in the evening at El Paso Community College.

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A group of roughly 20 people, most of who were Airbnb hosts, spoke at the nighttime meeting.

One man got emotional while speaking about his parent's Airbnb.

The man said his parents are retired and the money they make from renting their home allows them to have extra cash in their pockets.

“Please don’t add more fees to them," said the man. “This is working for them. They have been hosts since 2014. It will hurt them."

During the meeting, staff said the City of El Paso did not have an ordinance for short-term rentals.

The City of El Paso is considering placing a limit on the number of short-term rentals that can operate in one area.

It is also looking to collect a hotel occupancy tax, which is 17.5%.

But now, depending on peoples’ feedback, some of the suggestions could be thrown out, modified, or rearranged to create something that best fits El Paso.

City staff members who presented at the meeting said the feedback they got from people during the community meetings and from city surveys would help city staff curate an ordinance that everyone agrees with.

Still, some short-term rental owners said they don’t like the idea of an ordinance.

“Why are we needing these regulations? Is there a problem? Usually an ordinance [or] new laws are put in place because there’s a problem. There is no problem," said another man.

The City of El Paso had previously said they had a spring deadline to present the council with the final regulation recommendations, but during the meeting Thursday night, staff said it could be extended if need be.

Residents wishing to participate can attend one or all the meetings scheduled below:

Monday, February 6 | 6 p.m.

• Pebble Hills Regional Command Center
• 10780 Pebble Hills

Tuesday, February 7 | 6 p.m.

• Westside Regional Command Center
• 4801 Osborne
• Hosted by City Rep. Brian Kennedy

Wednesday, February 8 | 6 p.m.

• Northeast Regional Command Center
• 9600 Dyer
• Hosted by City Rep. Joe Molinar

Thursday, February 9 | 6 p.m.

• Mission Valley Regional Command Center
• 9011 Escobar
• Hosted by City Rep. Henry Rivera

Monday, February 13 | 6 p.m.

• Hybrid Community Meeting
• In-Person: City Hall, 300 N. Campbell
• Main Conference Room, Second Floor
• Virtual Link: https://bit.ly/3kk32lr
• Phone: 915-213-4096 (Code: 483 577 052#)

Tuesday, February 21 | 4 p.m.

• El Paso Chamber of Commerce
• 303 N. Oregon St., Suite 610
• Hosted by EP Chamber

Thursday, February 23 | 6 p.m.

• Virtual Community Meeting
• Virtual Link: http://bit.ly/3wf1tZ1
• Phone: 915-213-4096 (Code: 998 238 324#)
• Hosted by City Rep. Isabel Salcido

Wednesday, March 1 | 8 a.m.

• Village Inn (Hawkins Exit)
• 7144 Gateway Blvd. East
• Hosted by City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez

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