Greensboro ends spacing requirement for short-term rentals out of legal concerns

The Greensboro City Council unanimously approved a change for short-term rental regulations as officials voiced concern about potential legal challenges.

The ordinance in question went into effect last year. It defined what a short-term rental was and required owners to apply for zoning permits among other things.

The new change would no longer require 750 feet of space between these types of properties.

Council Member Hugh Holston says keeping the restriction would risk the court system striking down the entire ordinance.

"It'll be the wild, wild west and this community will start from ground zero," he says. "Everybody can have what they want, and outside investors can invest and purchase those Airbnb neighborhoods, communities, and that isn't what our community is looking for."

The change comes in part out of concern over an N.C. Court of Appeals ruling that struck down parts of a short-term rental ordinance in Wilmington. It found certain restrictions like distance requirements violated state statutes because they required owners to register their properties.