ABQ City Council shoots down short-term rental restrictions

The Albuquerque City Council for a second time voted against a proposal to limit the number of short-term rentals in the city. 

At their meeting Wednesday night, city councilors voted down on a 3-6 vote a bill that proposed restrictions on short-term rentals in certain parts of the city — specifically in the Downtown, University of New Mexico and Nob Hill areas. 

The bill — sponsored by Councilors Joaquín Baca and Nichole Rogers — proposed the restrictions in order to alleviate a housing shortage. The proposal would have restricted short-term rental permits for properties within 330 feet of an existing one, but would not apply to current short-term rentals. 

Last year, councilors voted down a similar bill that aimed to limit short-term rentals citywide. 

While a couple of residents spoke in favor of the bill, multiple short-term rental owners spoke against it. The owners said it would only benefit larger chain companies such as hotels rather than supporting local businesses. Some said short-term rentals do not negatively impact affordable housing. 

Carl Vidal, a board member of the New Mexico Short-Term Rental Association and author of the 2023 New Mexico Short-term Rental Economic Impact Study, also spoke in opposition to the bill. Vidal told councilors that “creating a ban or a restriction on short-term rentals in no way is going to solve our housing concerns.” 

Before councilors voted on the bill, Baca reassured short-term rental owners that they would not lose their permits and said he believes in protecting small businesses. 

“My job is to take into account all aspects, all issues,” Baca said. “Tourism is an extremely important part of this area… I also have to look at residents, I also have to look at our unhoused problem, I have to look at the quality of life for people who have been living here forever. There are so many different aspects to what we need to do to help our city. ”