#Asked – After plans were announced for short-term condos in Asheville’s Star Building (28 N. Lexington Ave.), we received this question from reader Shelly H. “So I am reading about short-term condo rentals being proposed in Asheville. What the heck are these? How do they not fall under the short-term rental policy Asheville has?”
One short-term condo project, River Row Flats, offers short-term “apartment-style” units billed as “Boutique Vacation Rentals” near New Belgium. We checked in with City Planner Shannon Tuch, who helped us break down what these short-term condos and apartments are, and why they’re legal in a city where short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO are heavily regulated (and where breaking the rules can result in a fine of $500 a day).
What is a short-term vacation rental (STVR)?
- A short-term vacation rental (STVR) is a rental available for less than a month at a time.
- STVRs differ from hotels in that they are individually-owned rather than owned by a hotel group. Short-term condos, for example, might be owned individually by different people. If a hotel group owns a property of complete suites with living amenities, this is called an extended-stay hotel.
- STVRs are subject to regulation within city limits. Check with your local government for regulations if you’re outside of Asheville.
What regulations exist now in Asheville?
- Homestays (where a long-term resident of the dwelling unit also lives on the property) are allowed for up to two rooms per property where guests do not have their own kitchens.
- If a property owner wants to create a new whole-building or whole-house STVR, they must receive conditional zoning approval from the City (with City Council having the final say).
- Property zoned in a “resort district” of Asheville can be an STVR. Resort districts are typically areas where resorts and conference centers are located and properties can be STVRs “by right” in these areas.
- Property in residential districts cannot be approved for STVRs.
What’s the status of short-term rental condos now?
- Any STVRs in operation or approved before restrictions went into effect in Jan. 2018 were grandfathered in, meaning they did not need approval from City Council. Restrictions on hotel approval were also passed at the same time. River Row Flats was approved for construction in 2017. It’s classified as within the RAD-NT (Neighborhood Transition) area – which, according to the city’s municipal code, “is intended to accommodate a variety of small-scale residential, commercial, and mixed use buildings.” The building is not in the resort district.
- The short-term condos in the Star Building have not yet been approved. They’ll be up for discussion at the city’s next Technical Review Committee meeting on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. at 161 S. Charlotte St. (Room A-109). Eventually, they’ll head to the Planning and Zoning Committee and then to City Council for a final vote.
- If approved, the Star Building renovation would have 23 short-term rental units, as well as a restaurant + retail space. The building is 35,430 square feet, including 5,000 square feet for the retail space + restaurant. This building is also not in the resort district.
