🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Montgomery, AL
Montgomery Council Begins Drafting Long-Awaited Short-Term Rental Ordinance
From Buses to Backyards: Montgomery Takes Aim at STR Chaos
Montgomery’s long honeymoon with unregulated short-term rentals may be ending. A City Council committee met Monday to begin shaping an ordinance that will, for the first time, set real boundaries for Airbnb and PadSplit operations.
Currently, operators just need a business license—no special zoning, no caps on guests, and no neighborhood input. That’s made Montgomery a magnet for STR investors, with Business Insider ranking it No. 11 nationally for Airbnb investment in 2025. But for residents like Jill Friedman, the gold rush has a downside.
Friedman says her Garden District street has morphed into a de facto hotel zone. She’s seen 14-guest Airbnbs bring 14 cars, buses, and even a backyard mini-golf course. Neighbor Jonathan Guyette added that golf balls routinely land near his windows. Parents now hesitate to let their kids play outside.
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Councilman Andrew Szymanski described Monday’s meeting as an information-gathering session. The plan is to sift through department recommendations, then reconvene in three weeks to shape a draft ordinance. City leaders hope to present a finished plan for a full council vote within a couple of months.
Airbnb signaled its willingness to collaborate, calling for “fair and balanced” rules. The company stressed that while concerns must be addressed, Montgomery should also preserve the benefits STRs bring.
If Montgomery follows through, residents could soon see clearer zoning restrictions, occupancy rules, or safety standards—anything to keep the city from feeling like the Wild West. For homeowners and investors alike, the message is clear: the days of no rules may be numbered.
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