Birmingham is moving closer to regulating short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, but city leaders still have questions about where those properties should be allowed and how repeat violations would be handled.
The City Council’s Committee of the Whole voted 4-1 Wednesday to advance a proposed short-term rental ordinance to the full council, which is scheduled to take up the measure on Oct. 27. The council has been working on the proposal for roughly two years.
What the ordinance would require
The proposal would create a permitting system for short-term rentals operating in Birmingham.
Operators would need a city business license and a short-term rental permit. They would also have to provide proof of liability insurance and certify that the property complies with applicable homeowners association rules…