The biggest travel trend is renting out your home or a bedroom to visitors and, today, the city of San Antonio's planning commission will be looking at setting standards for those listing online, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"We need to remember that, when someone is coming to our city, these short term rentals are acting as an ambassador to our visitors," board member Casey Whittington tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
The proposed ordinance targets homeowners, who list on sites like AirBNB, sort of like how the city welcomed Uber drivers with some restrictions.
First, they must get a permit from the city, which Whittington says sets up a database of renters, and singles out the out-of-city owners. That's something neighborhood leaders told him was important.
"Making sure the grass stays cut, parking is adhered to, and a lot of the ordinances goes into making sure the home is up to code," he explains.
The proposal is heavy on making sure homes being rented to visitors are safe. Floorplans are needed, in case of a fire. There also needs to be a General Liability Insurance policy with minimum limits of 500k.
But one sticking point could be a requirement that home-sharing owners will have to pay their share of city taxes.
"Written confirmation from the City of San Antonio Finance Department showing proof of registration with the City of San Antonio Finance Department for Hotel Occupancy Tax collection will be need to be provided before permit is granted," it reads.
That would create a level playing field with traditional hotels, who must also pay that tax.If approved by the full city council next month, it would continue San Antonio down the path of working with emerging technology instead of fighting against it.