The Gulf Shores City Council has scheduled a work session for Monday, November 16, to consider a proposed amendment to the city’s Vacation Rental Ordinance. The amendment would require every licensed short‑term vacation rental operator to execute a written rental agreement with each renter occupying a vacation‑rental property.

Why the Change Is Needed

Local property owners and management companies have voiced concerns that recent changes by online booking platforms limit their ability to require separate written agreements unless a local law specifically mandates them. Without a written agreement, owners say they lose a critical tool for addressing disruptive or unlawful guest behavior, which can affect neighboring homeowners and visitors.

Key Provisions of the Amendment

The proposed amendment would make a written rental agreement a condition of holding a short‑term rental license in Gulf Shores. It also sets minimum standards for the agreement, including:

• Identification of the responsible renter, including name and age
• Direct contact information for the renter during the rental period
• Acknowledgement of the property’s maximum occupancy limits
• Acceptance of the terms and conditions governing the rental
• Any additional information needed to ensure compliance with local regulations and facilitate enforcement

Enforcement Benefits

City officials note that the existing code already allows property owners and law‑enforcement officers to remove undesirable guests when a written agreement meeting prescribed legal requirements is in place. By codifying the requirement, the city hopes to preserve that authority and give owners a clearer path to protect public safety and quality of life.

Council Recommendation

The council’s recommended action is to approve the amendment. Council members argue that the measure will help maintain the effectiveness of existing enforcement provisions contained in Chapter 11 of the Code of Ordinances, while adapting local regulations to the evolving policies of online booking platforms.

Community Impact

For Gulf Shores residents, the amendment promises stronger safeguards against nuisance behavior from short‑term guests. Property owners and management companies anticipate a more reliable enforcement framework, which they say will help preserve the city’s reputation as a safe, family‑friendly vacation destination.

The council will vote on the amendment during the November 16 work session. If approved, the written‑agreement requirement would become part of the licensing process for all short‑term vacation rentals operating in Gulf Shores.

Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.