Birmingham pauses short-term rentals after shooting at Airbnb

This comes after the April 11 shooting during a party at an Airbnb on East Lincoln Street. No one was injured, but multiple homes and vehicles were riddled with bullets.

During a public meeting that lasted six hours, numerous people spoke out both for and against short-term rentals.

Resident David Win, who said his car was shot up, would like to see a more permanent ban.

"The house in question, of the incident, is 200 yards from a school," Win said. "...I think the moratorium does not fully protect us. We have complained about that house since it started six month ago. About every week to two weeks there's been complaints, noise complaints, parties all night."

Resident Eve Pickmen was in agreement.

"Having these short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods — whether its during the school year or during the summer, when the kids are still using the playgrounds and parks — you are jeopardizing children's safety by not further expanding your moratorium."

While fewer people spoke in support, some property owners said short-term rentals are an important part of their income.

Others believe a majority of guests are contributing positively to the community.

Longtime Birmingham landlord Steve Sandy said, while he was horrified to find out about the shooting, a single incident doesn't represent the norm.

"I was talking, actually, to one of the neighbors and she said, you know, we have had some good guests. Even one of the girls that I went to school with. She came back on holiday," Sandy said. "Where is someone, when they Birmingham and they wanna come back with their family, where are they supposed to stay? In the Daxton? In the Townsend? Our hotels are not affordable for families."

The pause will allow the city to address concerns and create a new ordinance laying out how to handle rentals going forward.