🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Wimberley, TX
Wimberley Hits the Brakes: Council Approves Immediate 120-Day Pause on New STR Permits
Wimberley Calls Time-Out: City Council Approves Immediate Freeze on STR Applications
Wimberley’s short-term rental conversation has been simmering for years, but at the Nov. 6 meeting, things finally boiled over into a major policy shift. After a lengthy and sometimes tense discussion, the Wimberley City Council voted 3–1 to adopt a 120-day moratorium on accepting, processing, and approving new short-term rental applications that require a conditional use permit (CUP). And in a move that frustrated some and relieved others, the pause went into effect immediately—with no advance notice period.
The push for the moratorium came from council member Rebecca Minnick, who said the city’s approach to STR applications has become inconsistent and confusing for applicants and residents alike. With no clear policy for commercial areas and case-by-case decisions creating uncertainty, Minnick argued the city needed to stop and regroup. Her goal: form a committee, work with a planning consultant, and create a consistent, transparent STR process that everyone can understand.
According to Minnick, 120 days made the most sense, especially with the holiday season coming up—a time when scheduling meetings and community workshops becomes tough. The pause, she said, would allow the new committee to dig into the issues and bring back solid recommendations for a clearer and fairer STR framework. But her proposal for the moratorium to take effect immediately ignited a debate on timing, fairness, and due process.
Council member David Cohen raised strong objections, arguing that an immediate halt could blindside people who were already preparing to apply for STR permits—or even purchasing property with STR plans in mind. “People are entitled to fair notice before their property is being affected,” he said, adding that the public would feel “shut out” with no warning. Cohen pushed for at least a 30-day notice, saying that even if an application might not be processed fully in that time, the city owed property owners a reasonable heads-up.
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Nathan Glasier, the city’s development services director, clarified that CUP applications typically take 30 to 45 days before they reach council because of public notices and scheduling. Minnick and council member Chris Sheffield argued that because applications can’t be approved in that timeframe anyway, giving 30 days of notice wouldn’t meaningfully change anything. Cohen still insisted on extending the notice to 45 days, but his concerns didn’t sway the majority.
Ultimately, the rest of the council decided the need for stability outweighed the risks of immediate implementation. Sheffield summarized the sentiment bluntly: delay wasn’t worth it if only “three people” might squeeze in last-minute permit requests, especially when many residents are asking the city to “stop and take a look at it.”
With the final 3–1 vote—Cohen voting no—the moratorium took effect instantly. For the next 120 days, Wimberley won’t be accepting or processing any STR applications requiring a CUP. During this period, Minnick’s proposed committee is expected to start evaluating current STR rules, identifying problem spots, and building a more consistent and predictable approval process.
For hosts, would-be hosts, and neighbors alike, this marks a turning point. Wimberley isn’t banning STRs—but it is hitting pause to decide what the future STR landscape should look like.
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