08/17/2023
STR UPDATE! Please read!!!!
⚠️If one of your 13 adjacent neighbors says no to you having an Airbnb then you cannot get a permit❗️
The revised ordinance for short term rentals which will be voted on Tuesday, August 22 at 5:30 PM at the Lafayette Parish City Council meeting has been posted. The ordinance still calls for a STR ban in RS1 neighborhoods, however, it allows for exceptions if you meet the following requirements .
Requirements for a variance:
1. You must submit to LCG a copy of your current neighborhood covenants showing proof STR’s are allowed.
2. You then will have to get the signatures of the 1st and 2nd adjacent neighbors of the STR. Every neighbor who is considered a 1st or 2nd adjacent neighbor must agree to allow your STR to operate.
If you are granted a permit to operate in RS1 you will then every year upon license renewal have these neighbors sign off again allowing you to renew.
This ordinance is fraught with problems, such as:
1. The first hurdle is the submission of the covenant where the STR is located. If you as the STR owner feels the current covenant allows for the STR to operate but a neighbor disagrees. You and the neighbor will have to seek a legal opinion from the 15th JDC court. LCG will not make that determination so your property will be in limbo awaiting a court decision.
#2 IF you succeed in the first hurdle the next step is getting your 1st and 2nd adjacent neighbors to sign off on allowing you to use your private property for an STR. Many may not know what 1st and 2nd adjacent neighbor means. It’s everyone who touches the property.
❗️According to LCG it means approximately 13 homeowners need to uninamously agree and then you are allowed to get a permit.❗️
If one neighbor says no then you cannot get a permit.
This ordinance has been sent to the National Association of Realtors and they have responded that they have never seen a city ordinance such as this which would allow 13 property owners to make a decision what another property owner can do with their private property! The attorney with Lafayette consolidated government was asked if these requirments were taken from another community. The answer is NO this would be completely unique to Lafayette.
We could go on and on about issues with this ordinance and the way it is written, but what I want to do is inspire, ignite and motivate you to come to City Hall on Tuesday, August 22nd at 5:30 PM and let your voice be heard. We need you to protect our private property rights!