Entrepreneurial homeowners, beware: It just got more complicated to operate a short-term rental in the city limits of Las Vegas.

After more than three hours of discussion and public comment, the Las Vegas City Council voted 4-3 Wednesday to approve an ordinance that will require most owners of short-term rentals to obtain a special-use permit and comply with a variety of new restrictions. Council members Bob Beers, Stavros Anthony and Steve Ross voted against it.

Per the new ordinance, owners of existing short-term rentals will have two years to obtain a special-use permit, which comes with a one-time price tag of $1,030. The only exception: Short-term rentals occupied by the owner with no more than three bedrooms don’t need the permit, but city officials said that’s a small number of cases.

The ordinance’s approval followed a decade of work by Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian who supported several bills, including this one, in her quest to crack down on short-term rentals, which her constituents in Ward 1 have described as a chronic nuisance. So worked up about the issue, the long-serving councilwoman said she hadn’t slept in three nights in anticipation of the meeting and vote.

“I am emotional because I feel it is so unjust to our citizens,” she said during an impassioned speech before the vote.

She was far from the only person with strong feelings on the subject. The issue drew dozens of community members, packing the council chambers and leading to nearly an hour of public comment.

The years-long debate has pitted short-term rental owners against neighborhood residents, who argue their peaceful domains are interrupted by so-called party houses, increased traffic and crime in some instances — all of which they say ruins the sense of community.

On the flip side, short-term rental owners who spoke said they’re following the rules but being penalized because of a few rogue properties. They contend short-term rentals boost the tourism industry by offering visitors, especially families with children, a more comfortable option as opposed to staying on the Las Vegas Strip.

There are 161 licensed short-term rentals within Las Vegas city limits, said Mary McElhone, the city’s business license manager.

That’s a modest figure given the likelihood of other residences operating as short-term rentals without business licenses. City officials acknowledge enforcement has been a struggle, partially because of lag time between when a neighbor lodges a complaint and when Metro Police or code-enforcement officers can respond.

Since 2014, the city has received about 290 complaints related to short-term rentals, most of which are “whole house” rentals as opposed to bed-and-breakfast operations, McElhone said. Some of the complaints pertain to the same property.

Anthony questioned the effectiveness of the proposed ordinance if the city can’t enforce existing laws regulating short-term rentals.

“That’s just common sense,” he said. “If people aren’t getting a (business) license, why would they get a special-use permit?”

City officials said they’re exploring better enforcement options, including setting up a 24-hour hotline that would enable residents to report violations directly to the city rather than relying on police who may be tied up handling more pressing calls.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Tarkanian argued her ordinance is part of “completing a comprehensive plan” to get a handle on the problem.

Coffin, who equated short-term rentals to commercial businesses inside neighborhoods, was more blunt about the situation: “We’re in an emergency,” he said.

Ultimately, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Councilman Ricki Barlow and Coffin sided with Tarkanian, tipping the vote toward approval.

On top of the special-use permit, the ordinance puts additional restrictions on short-term rentals. Among them:

• Owners must list on the application what hosting platform, such as Airbnb or VRBO, they’re using to advertise the short-term rental.
• Short-term rentals with more than four bedrooms must display a placard listing contact information for someone available 24 hours a day who can receive complaints.
• Owners must show proof of liability insurance coverage that’s at least $500,000.
• Short-term rentals must be at least 660 feet apart.

The council’s decision was enough to dissuade Chris Davies from pursuing a short-term rental within the city. The Las Vegas resident already operates one in Florida and hoped to do the same here, but Davies said he would rather invest in a city more welcoming to the concept.

“Enforcement is key,” he said. “If they would build up the enforcement, it would resolve all the issues.”

Erik King, meanwhile, left the meeting feeling hopeful. He has lived in the Equestrian Estates neighborhood — situated between Charleston Boulevard and Alta Drive — for 23 years and has spent years campaigning against short-term rentals, which he said became prime locations for massive parties that created noise and left trash in their wake.

“We have a great neighborhood,” said King, who wants the city to step up its enforcement activities as well. “We all know each other. This was causing a problem in our neighborhood.”

Las Vegas is the only local jurisdiction that allows short-term rentals if owners comply with regulations. Short-term rentals are prohibited in North Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County. In Henderson, there’s only one eligible location for short-term rentals — Montelago Village in Lake Las Vegas — but the city has not approved any in that area.

Feature photo: A woman raises a sign while people wait to speak during the Las Vegas City Council meeting regarding short-term home rentals on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Photo by Jeff Scheid.