PETITION:

The undersigned residents of the City of Charleston petition the City:

(1) not to change the present City zoning laws generally prohibiting short-term rentals and

(2) to better enforce its existing laws to stop illegal short-term rentals.

REASONS FOR PETITION:

Short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods are generally prohibited under long standing City zoning law. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement and the easy availability of Internet rental platforms have resulted in a mushrooming of illegal short-term rental businesses in the City. The City is in the process of considering changes in the zoning laws on short-term rentals. The Charlestowne Neighborhood Association, along with other neighborhood associations, publicly opposed any relaxation of the laws limiting short-term rentals and sought enhanced enforcement to stop illegal short-term rentals in an op-ed published on May 27, 2017 in the Post and Courier

Short-term rentals threaten the residential character and zoning of entire residential neighborhoods, and they create problems for law-abiding residents with additional noise, parking, higher property taxes and other disruptive and sometimes illegal activity. Please join your Charleston neighbors in demanding our City leaders take every legal action to ensure our residential neighborhoods are free from the existential threat this business activity represents.