Last night, the Tybee Island Planning Commission tabled the proposed STR ordinance vote and pushed it to June 22 with a workshop beforehand so commissioners can provide additional input on the ordinance. 

Planning Commissioner Lynn Moody suggested approving the ordinance so it could move forward to City Council since Planning Commission is advisory and any remaining revisions or concerns could still be discussed during the public City Council hearings. Instead, the majority preferred another workshop despite there already having been multiple public workshops on the STR ordinance. 

The proposed ordinance includes major changes that could significantly impact property owners, buyers, neighborhoods, and tourism management across Tybee Island, including: 

• STR caps by geographic sector 
• NO minimum nights rented required 
• Very high licensing fees, including proposed fees of $2,000/year for homes sleeping 10+ guests 
• Homes with STVR certificates being sold with continuation rights for a new buyer 
• A proposed one-time, limited-duration opportunity to apply for continuation of an STR certificate after property transfer in R-1, R-1-B, and R-2 districts, including some family-owned corporations 
• Waiting lists for capped areas 
• Stronger enforcement and compliance measures 
• New rules for management companies and operators 
• Occupancy and advertising standards 
• Expanded notice and hearing procedures before City Council for repeat violations and possible certificate revocation 

One of the biggest potential victories in this ordinance is the possibility for homes with existing STVR certificates to transfer continuation rights to a new buyer. If approved, this would help relieve some of the restrictive impacts created by the June 13, 2024 ordinance changes that effectively stopped continuation of STR use upon many property transfers. 

Upcoming meeting dates are currently: 

• Planning Commission: June 22, July 20, August 17 
• City Council: July 9, August 13, August 26 

At the earliest, the ordinance could potentially receive final approval on August 13 following the required public hearing process. The only way for final approval to happen sooner, potentially by July 9, would be for City Council to call a special hearing between June 22 and July 9. 

Otherwise, another summer season will largely pass before a final ordinance is in place, leaving continued uncertainty for residents, property owners, buyers, and local businesses waiting for clarity on the future of STR regulations on Tybee Island.

Your voice matters, especially during this window while decisions are still being shaped. Email the City Council your thoughts!
You can copy and paste the emails below:
bwest@cityoftybee.gov, tploughe@cityoftybee.gov, nsears@cityoftybee.gov, shosti@cityoftybee.gov, kwilliams@cityoftybee.gov, nick.hale@cityoftybee.gov, cam.jackson@cityoftybee.gov


Individual contacts:

Brian West, Mayor
bwest@cityoftybee.gov
Tony Ploughe
tploughe@cityoftybee.gov
Nick Sears
nsears@cityoftybee.gov
Michael “Spec” Hosti
shosti@cityoftybee.gov
Kathryn Williams
kwilliams@cityoftybee.gov
Nick Hale
nick.hale@cityoftybee.gov
Cam Jackson
cam.jackson@cityoftybee.gov
I will continue to keep you updated as we move through this extended timeline.