UPDATE: Monday Night the Prairie Village City Council Voted 10 for and 2 against to Ban Short Term Rentals. This will ban short term rental stays of less than 30 days. Violation will result in a $500 fine. New rules start November 1, 2025.
One of the dissenting votes mentioned that he has lots of cars in front of his house from time to time. That his neighbors have overflowing trash from time to time . . he has no short term rentals on his block.
The thought of slowing down the process and getting real facts was also offered. It was compared to an intersection where residents want a stop light over a sign, before they make any decisions a traffic study with hard facts is needed. And at the time of the vote they didn’t even really know how many short term rentals exist in Prairie Village.
We would like to thank Tyler Shirk for keeping us informed every step of the way and for rallying the troops.
The City of Prairie Village is currently considering a ban on short-term rentals (STRs) like those listed on Airbnb. While some sources suggest the decision has already been made, local Airbnb host Tyler Shirk has informed us that there’s still time to influence the outcome.
Why This Matters
This potential ban could have a serious impact on short-term rental hosts, local businesses, and the wider community. If you care about the outcome, now is the time to speak up and make your voice heard. Remaining silent could mean missing the opportunity to shape a decision that affects not only you but also your neighbors and the local economy.
What You Can Do:
- Send letters and emails opposing the ban or restrictions on short-term rentals.
- Attend the City Council meeting on Monday, October 21st at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers to show your support for short-term rentals (see details below).
- Encourage your neighbors and others who live in Prairie Village to send emails and show up to the meeting.
Important Update – City Council Vote on Monday, October 21st, 2024
- Date: Monday, October 21st, 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Council Chambers, 7700 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208
- Meeting Details: You can attend in person or watch online via this link.
Contact Prairie Village City Council Members:
Make your opinion count by contacting the City Council directly. Here are the email addresses of council members you can reach out to:
- mayor@pvkansas.com
- crobinson@pvkansas.com
- totoole@pvkansas.com
- cnguyen@pvkansas.com
- lsharp@pvkansas.com
- gshelton@pvkansas.com
- nreddell@pvkansas.com
- rnelson@pvkansas.com
- iselders@pvkansas.com
- drobinson@pvkansas.com
- tagniel@pvkansas.com
- tgallagher@pvkansas.com
- igraves@pvkansas.com
Why Should You Care?
Short-term rentals provide essential services beyond just offering a place to stay. As local host Tyler Shirk points out, STRs help:
- Military families traveling for duty
- Homeowners managing major repairs from fires or floods
- Families attending medical treatments, funerals, graduations, and more
- Individuals escaping domestic violence, providing a safe, temporary refuge
In addition to supporting these groups, STRs bring economic benefits to the local community by generating income for carpenters, cleaners, maintenance workers, lawn care providers, and more. They also contribute to local tax revenues, which benefit everyone in Prairie Village.
Common Misconceptions About STRs
- Disruptive Parties: While some fear that short-term rentals cause disturbances, most hosts—like Tyler—use screening measures and noise sensors to prevent such issues.
- Housing Crisis: There’s a concern that STRs reduce affordable housing options. However, many of these properties are high-end homes that wouldn’t qualify as affordable housing. Banning STRs could lead to these homes being sold to large investment firms, further gentrifying the area.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
The vote on Monday, October 21st, could have lasting effects on the future of short-term rentals in Prairie Village. Now is the time to take action. Whether by attending the meeting, sending emails, or encouraging others to speak up, your participation is crucial.
For more information or to see past meeting discussions, visit Prairie Village City Council Meeting Streaming.
