City officials approved an ordinance to ban short-term rentals (STR), including Airbnb and Vrbo units, in the Home Park neighborhood off campus. The ordinance passed in a 12-2 vote on Aug. 18, making Home Park the first Atlanta neighborhood with a restriction on STRs.
Existing licensed STRs may continue operating, but new ones will not be permitted. The ordinance came after ongoing complaints from homeowners about part-time houses and the growing number of vacation rentals. Supporters argue the ban will protect Home Park residents from being outnumbered. Critics say that the decision is a vital source of income for some and puts the city in a bind ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Before the vote, Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari expressed that she is cautiously in favor of the ban on Airbnb representatives…