GALVESTON, Texas – A Galveston homeowner says a new proposal from city leaders could cost her the business she built in retirement.
City officials insist the move is about accountability, not punishment, as the debate over short-term rentals continues to divide the island community.
For years, Donna Hansen has rented out two homes on Galveston Island.
She says she’s always followed city rules and has never received a single complaint.
But under the city’s proposed changes, even a responsible host could lose their license if three complaints are filed in a year.
“It is my retirement income,” Hansen said. “I’ve invested a lot of time and money, and I’m heavily invested in being here.”
Hansen says she supports holding problem properties accountable, but believes the city is painting all short-term rental operators with the same brush.
“Where I think most of the STR owners are concerned is that in the past, there’s been no enforcement of rules and regulations we already have,” Hansen said. “Changing them and adding more isn’t going to help unless there’s enforcement.”
She argues that responsible hosts like her are being swept into a debate that should focus on a small number of repeat offenders.
“I do believe the STRs are being treated unfairly and targeted,” Hansen said. “Long-term rentals aren’t held to any accountability.”
Hansen also highlights the role that short-term rentals have played in revitalizing neighborhoods across Galveston.
“If it weren’t for STRs, Galveston has really glowed up because of the STRs,” she said. “We’ve invested this in Galveston, and I don’t feel like it’s appreciated by the city or a lot of the residents here.”
Mayor Craig Brown says the city’s proposal aims to balance the interests of both property owners and residents who have voiced concerns about noise, parking, and trash violations.
“We have about 4,400 short-term rentals here in Galveston,” Brown said. “Probably per capita we have more short-term for citizens than many of the cities in the state, and it’s quite an industry here. We’re very thankful that it’s here. But having an industry like that in the neighborhoods, there are concerns that arise from that.”
Brown says the ordinance also includes an appeals process to ensure responsible owners aren’t unfairly penalized.
“Our legal department really researched that thoroughly,” he said. “They made sure that the way that was approached would be supported by the court systems.”
For Hansen, the changes feel like a threat to the stability she’s worked years to build.
“It would be devastating,” she said. “It’s an investment, a huge investment.”
The Galveston City Council is expected to vote on the proposal on Thursday.
Here’s the city council’s agenda
If approved, enforcement could begin early next year.