Birmingham — Birmingham is cracking down on short-term rentals in residential areas after a shooting earlier this spring at an Airbnb.
The Birmingham City Commission is weighing possible restrictions and expecting a report from the city attorney at its meeting Monday after approving a moratorium on short-term rentals in late April. The moratorium, approved by a 5-1 vote, prohibits new rentals for under 30 days to open within the city for 180 days, giving officials time to explore ways to regulate them.
The moratorium comes after a shooting on April 11 that stemmed from a party at a rental in the 1400 block of East Lincoln St. Airbnb confirmed the company removed the booking guest, host and listing from its platform following the shooting.
“We have complained about that house since it started six months ago,” said resident David Wynn, who added that his car got “shot up” in the incident.
Wynn and other residents said they have experienced disruptions from short-term rentals before April 11. The city currently has about 100 short-term rentals in the city of just under 22,000, according to officials.
Commissioner Brad Host, who cast the lone vote against the moratorium, said he was fine with banning short-term rentals except for those in which the owner resides. He also said he was fine if Birmingham got sued because of it. Dearborn is currently facing litigation from several short-term rental owners after the city banned them in July 2025.
“If something happens in the next 180 days — I told you so,” said Host before casting his “no” vote.
Commissioner Therese Longe warned against passing new resolutions knowing the city would get sued. She said plaintiffs could use the fact that the city anticipated getting sued in their lawsuit.
City Attorney Tracy Gaudenzi told the commissioners the moratorium would allow Birmingham officials time to examine zoning requirements, density and special exemptions as it relates to short-term rentals. Gaudenzi said doing something immediately would deprive the city of the opportunity to make a thoughtful decision.
“If we attempt some alternate path, we may end up with nothing,” Commissioner Kevin Kozlowski said of the moratorium. “I think this is the way we end up with something that we can keep.”
While many residents were opposed to the moratorium because they believed it didn’t go far enough, resident and landlord Steve Sandy pushed back against its implementation generally. Sandy said guests he has at his short-term rentals were educated world travelers who “actually add to the character of Birmingham.”
“Our hotels are not affordable to families,” Sandy said. “They are not.”
Commissioner Andrew Haig acknowledged Sandy was a “good actor” when it comes to short-term rentals. But he said the number of short-term rentals compared to permanent homes in the city wasn’t worth not addressing.
Commissioners also encouraged Birmingham police to record more information on their reports when an incident happens at a short-term rental. Gaudenzi suggested a resolution directing police, fire and code enforcement to maintain records of short-term rentals and fully document properties that aren’t licensed with the city.
Local Airbnb host Nicole Curtis, the former longtime host of HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” who owns several short-term rentals in Metro Detroit, said she met with city officials last week to discuss regulations. She suggests the city require Airbnb require photo IDs showing renters are 21 or older and all guests be registered. She also suggested owners must show certificates of insurance.
“It is no surprise that something like (the shooting) has happened as Airbnb has lowered their standards for screening for guests and hosts,” said Curtis.
The city commission will discuss regulations for short-term rentals at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Birmingham’s city offices.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Birmingham enacts moratorium on short-term rentals, urges more regulations
Reporting by Max Bryan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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