Overview
- The Birmingham City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to approve a citywide permanent ban on short-term rentals.
- Officials said the decision followed an April house party tied to a short-term rental that ended in gunfire that struck three homes and a vehicle and led to 29 felony charges.
- The ordinance becomes effective seven days after approval and preserves current short-term rental licenses only until they expire on April 15, 2027 with no option to renew.
- Supporters said the ban protects neighborhood safety and residential character, while real-estate groups argued the city should target problem properties with regulation instead of a blanket prohibition.
- The vote ends a six-month moratorium that began in May and follows months of Planning Commission review and public testimony about disturbances, enforcement limits, and economic harm to owners.