Title
Resolution Initiating Amendments to the Hampton City Zoning Ordinance to Revise Standards Applicable to Short-Term Rentals (STRs)
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to initiate zoning ordinance amendments concerning standards applicable to short-term rentals (STRs) and direct community outreach to inform potential changes. On June 12, 2024, City Council adopted regulations establishing the Short-Term Rental Overlay District, consisting of 51 short-term rental zones, with caps on the number of establishments permitted within each zone and minimum separation requirements between establishments.
At its September 23, 2026 work session, City Council received an implementation update indicating that five zones were at capacity and three additional zones could accommodate only two or fewer additional establishments. Prior to considering changes to the current zone caps or other short-term rental permitting standards, Council has requested to receive input from potentially impacted communities.
Discussion:
The resolution directs the Department of Community Development and other appropriate City departments to conduct community outreach to obtain input from impacted neighborhoods. It formally initiates proposed amendments informed by that outreach, including potential changes to the maximum number of short-term rentals permitted within each zone, and other reasonably related provisions.
Staff would prepare draft ordinance language and present the proposed amendments for public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. Adoption of the initiating resolution does not change existing short-term rental regulations or approve a particular increase in zone capacity.
Impact:
The resolution initiates community outreach and ordinance development without changing existing regulatory requirements. Implementation would require staff time for outreach, drafting language, coordination, legal review, and processing the proposed amendments through the public hearing process, along with applicable public notice and advertising costs.
Recommendation:
Rec
Adopt the initiating resolution directing community outreach and preparation of proposed amendments to short-term rental permitting standards, including zone caps and other reasonably related provisions, for consideration through the Planning Commission and City Council public hearing processes.
Body
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2024, the City Council adopted Zoning Ordinance Amendment 24-0176, which created the Short-Term Rental Overlay District (“O-STR”) consisting of 51 Short-Term Rental Zones, imposed caps on the maximum number of short-term rentals permitted within each such Zone, and established the minimum distance between short-term rentals; and
WHEREAS, at its Work Session held September 23, 2026, the City Council received a briefing from the Department of Community Development on the implementation and administration of the O-STR District, which provided that of the 51 Short-Term Rental Zones, five were at 100% capacity, and an additional three Zones had capacity for only two or fewer additional establishments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has requested input from potentially impacted communities prior to consideration of any change to the per-Zone cap or to any other standards affecting permits for short-term rentals; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that initiation and consideration of a Zoning Ordinance amendment, modifying standards applicable to the permitting of short-term rentals, is required by the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, as more particularly described above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY HAMPTON CITY COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS:
1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated by reference herein.
2. Hampton City Council directs the Department of Community Development and other concerned City departments to conduct community outreach to obtain input from impacted neighborhoods on potential changes to standards applicable to short-term rentals.
3. Pursuant to Virginia Code 15.2-2286(A)(7), Hampton City Council formally initiates proposed amendments to the Hampton Zoning Ordinance to modify standards applicable to the permitting of short-term rentals informed by the community outreach described above, and particularly including (without limitation) amendments to the maximum cap on short-term rental establishments within Short-Term Rental Zones, along with any other reasonably related amendments identified by the Director of Community Development or resulting from the Planning Commission and City Council public hearing processes.
4. The Community Development Department and other appropriate staff are directed to prepare draft text for the proposed amendment and to take all steps necessary and proper to present the amendment for public hearing before the Planning Commission and City Council, in accordance with applicable law.