100 signatures reached
To: City of Marfa City Council Members
Fair Regulations on Short-Term Rentals in Marfa, Texas
The Marfa Chamber of Commerce, area residents, and community stakeholders are asking the Marfa City Council to begin looking at options for short-term rental regulations in Marfa that balance the needs of residents and the tourism industry and ensure the sustainability of our community. The residents most impacted by the negative effects of short-term rentals are those with infrastructural and service industry jobs. Our local economy cannot stand the continued increase in housing prices and lack of affordable long-term rentals.
Why is this important?
As short-term rentals increase, residency decreases.*
Short-term rentals drive up the cost of living.
Short-term rentals deplete the availability of long-term rentals.
Regulations on short-term rentals are becoming common in Texas cities and have been upheld by courts.**
Short-term rentals are expected to continue to grow in number by 20-30% annually.***
20% of Marfa's housing is currently short-term rentals with more being built as you read this.****
* From the Wall Street Journal article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/vacation-rentals-in-the-desert-e63eb21e (this article is behind a paywall, but an audio file is available at the top of the page without a login).
** Information provided by Texas Neighborhood Coalition
*** Statistics provided by Granicus
**** Information gathered from Granicus and the Presidio County Appraiser
How it will be delivered
We plan to present this petition, in progress, to City Council at the public meeting on April 11 at 6 pm in the Casner Room at City Hall. Please join us in person to voice your support at that meeting during Citizen Comment Period.