The City of Saginaw, Texas is requesting a change in zoning regulations, amending Ordinance 2002-04. Ordinance No. 2021-14 proposes several updates on the existing zoning regulations presented in Ordinance No. 2002-04, in order to help prevent hotels, motels, and extended-stays from virtually becoming apartment complexes.

Some key proposals include further defining code enforcement official, consecutive stay, hotel, motel, extended-stay hotel/motel, and other concepts to better eliminate any misleading language previously presented in the ordinance. Other changes include expanding the requirements and restrictions pertaining to the maintenance of written and electronic records, rental agreements, guest information, and vehicle registrations. All records must be maintained for a minimum of one hundred and eighty (180) days after check out and must be available upon the request of any City Enforcement Official during normal business hours, per the proposed ordinance.

Other new standards put into place include: cleaning, inspections, security, video-surveillance systems, and having a bona fide employee present at all times to assist any City Enforcement Officer when needed. Notably, the proposal further details length of stay requirements and restrictions. For hotels and motels, no guest shall occupy any room for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, nor more than sixty (60) total days during a one hundred and eighty (180) day period. In addition, a two-week (14-day) vacancy is required during any thirty (30) day consecutive stay period, before beginning any new rental agreement with said hotel or motel. Extended-stay hotels/motels will require any guest who have resided for more than one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days at an extended stay hotel/motel to undergo at least a ninety (90) day vacancy in between stays before beginning any new rental agreement with said hotel or motel.

Overall, the proposed changes will not only assist in limiting apartment-like trends from occurring in hotels, motels, and extended-stay hotels/motels, but also expand the City’s ability to better handle the public nuisance abatement process.

The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the new ordinance at its July 13, 2021 meeting and unanimously recommended approval.