Bella Vista Residents Voice Concerns Over Short-Term Rental Compliance and Enforcement

Bella Vista, AR — At the recent Bella Vista City Council meeting, three residents shared concerns about the city’s management and enforcement of its short-term rental (STR) ordinance, highlighting issues related to compliance, neighborhood impact, and the need for stricter regulation.

Residents Speak Out on STR Issues

Ellen Creakbaum of Churchill Drive sought updates on the STR ordinance passed in July 2023. She raised questions regarding how permits are tracked and enforced, inquiring about steps taken by city employees to monitor unpermitted rentals and prevent disruptive situations from spilling into other neighborhoods. Creakbaum also asked about the “three-strike” rule included in the ordinance, seeking clarification on how strikes are documented, tracked, and whether any permits have been revoked. She noted the potential for upcoming state legislation on STRs and questioned whether Bella Vista is prepared to advocate for local interests.

Rhonda Dietz, a resident of Robin Lane, expressed concerns specific to her neighborhood. With two Airbnbs on her street of eight homes, she urged the council to consider placing a limit on the number of STRs per area. Dietz also suggested that the Lake Rangers could assist in enforcing code compliance for kayaks and boats, given frequent violations on Loch Lomond. She asked for transparency on the city’s process when compliance officers are notified of issues and whether any permits have been revoked due to non-compliance.

Billy Beverage of Cargill Drive spoke on behalf of neighbors who could not attend, relaying frustrations about the negative impact of STRs in his community. He cited instances of large, disruptive parties and disrespectful behavior by renters, causing concern among residents who moved to Bella Vista seeking a peaceful environment. Beverage urged the council to take ownership of the STR ordinance and ensure residents are informed about its enforcement.

Council Members Respond

Council Member Doug Fowler acknowledged the ongoing challenges with STR compliance, noting that calls from residents are “starting to pile up again.” He thanked Beverage for acknowledging responsible STR owners and recounted an instance where an owner’s guests exceeded the rental agreement’s occupancy, resulting in a septic system overflow. While Fowler admitted he is uncertain of a complete solution, he encouraged the STR community to establish a committee to develop guidelines and promote self-regulation. He also shared data, mentioning that 497 STR properties are currently listed, with 428 of them permitted by the city.

Council Member Larry Wilms advised residents to document STR violations by reporting them directly to the Police Department. He emphasized that if complaints are not formally recorded, the council has no official record to refer to. Wilms pointed out that violations occur not only with renters but also with lake residents who may have more guests than their septic system can accommodate, although the code only considers overnight guests.

Mayor John Flynn shared that in June, the city achieved 100% compliance with STR permits for a brief period, though the numbers soon dropped. He suggested that stricter enforcement, including taking a few non-compliant owners to court, might encourage quicker compliance among STR operators.

Council Member Jerry Snow highlighted that STR complaints largely stem from enforcement issues and reiterated that the responsibility to ensure compliance lies with the Mayor, as code officers report to him.

The Path Forward

The discussions at the meeting underscored a common sentiment among council members and residents: the need for more rigorous enforcement and community involvement in addressing STR-related challenges. As Bella Vista continues to balance STR benefits with resident concerns, these discussions are likely to shape future updates to the STR ordinance and enforcement strategies.

The council’s openness to resident feedback reflects Bella Vista’s commitment to maintaining quality of life while navigating the complexities of managing short-term rentals in a growing community.