🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Galveston, TX
Galveston’s Three-Strike Plan Aims to Clean Up the Short-Term Rental Scene
Galveston Weighs Tougher Rules for Short-Term Rentals After Heated Forum
Galveston’s short-term rental scene is getting a serious reality check. On October 10, more than 120 residents packed the Historic Water and Electric Light Community Center to hear what could be the city’s toughest stance yet on STR enforcement — a proposed “three-strike rule” that could revoke a property’s license after repeated violations.
Under the draft ordinance, three documented ordinance violations within a 12-month period could trigger a temporary suspension of up to six months, with a second offense potentially leading to permanent revocation. The proposal was met with a mix of cheers and concerns. Longtime residents voiced support for stricter oversight, saying a few bad operators were ruining the island’s peace and parking spots for everyone else. But some hosts worried about being unfairly penalized for false complaints — one even claimed to receive a citation when his home was vacant.
To ease those fears, city officials emphasized that each violation must be backed by solid evidence — think body cam footage, reports, and photos — and owners would have the right to appeal. Assistant City Attorney Xochitl Vandiver-Gaskin assured attendees that due process remains a priority.
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The city’s complaint hotline logged 25 reports of illegal rentals in 2024 and 22 more so far in 2025, revealing a pattern of unlicensed operators that’s fueling frustration among law-abiding hosts like Karlson Bruner. “There are 25 unlicensed STRs within three blocks of me,” he said, echoing calls for more proactive enforcement.
Parking and noise remain hot-button issues. The committee floated a new rule limiting non-restricted parking zones to two street-parked cars per rental, but city staff admitted enforcement could be tricky. Meanwhile, noise has topped the complaint list for two years straight, followed by trash. Police and the city marshal’s office plan to continue tackling both.
The Short Term Rental Owners Association of Galveston backs the proposed changes, saying they’ll help weed out bad actors—especially large management companies—and restore balance between residents and hosts. The ad-hoc committee aims to finalize recommendations by December 12 before passing them on to the city council.
If adopted, the three-strike rule could mark a turning point for Galveston’s STR landscape — putting repeat offenders on notice and signaling a broader shift toward responsible hosting on the island.
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