Oklahoma City Council Pauses New Short Term Rentals, Considers Future of Housing Market

In a meeting on Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council voted to approve an emergency moratorium lasting for 180 days and prohibiting the approval of new applications for home-sharing, such as Airbnb's or Vrbos, for areas in the city where 10% of the block already contains a home-sharing rental.

Current short-term rental owners would not be affected.

The decision is also closely tied to an ordinance under consideration to allow accessory dwelling units on properties, which advocates say could provide needed higher-density housing. Certain ADUs in Oklahoma City have been 'grandfathered' in because they were built before currently regulations existed.

Opponents against the idea believe the smaller housing units would become part of an already saturated short-term rental market.

"I help with an elderly aunt that I have," said Glen Cosper, a member of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors. "So, I know that people would like to have that because that person still likes to live independently."

In presentations from city staff, benefits for ADUs have been cited as providing affordable housing options and better connectivity to walkable communities.

Marva Ellard, a representative for the preservation group overseeing the Heritage Hills historic neighborhood, spoke publicly against ADUs at a May planning commission meeting.

"We're seeing a lot of it in The Paseo, especially where investors buy these cute little bungalows," she said. "We understand the need for more housing in the inner city. But, we also want an ordinance that treats us fairly."

Cosper said the pause on certain new short-term rental applications creates an opportunity to think of a solution that benefits a wider audience.

No final and permanent decisions have been made.