GALVESTON — Galveston is asking neighbors to speak up about how short-term rentals should be regulated. A community forum is set for Thursday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Galveston Water and Electric Light Community Center, 715 30th St.

A press release said the meeting will give residents a chance to look over draft rules and talk directly with city staff, City Council members and the ad hoc committee that’s been working on the issue all year.

The proposed ordinance includes updates to the registration process, new approaches to parking and nuisance complaints, and a plan to create a licensing board that could pull a rental license if a property racks up three unresolved violations in a year.

City Council formed the committee late last year to suggest changes to existing regulations. Their final recommendations are due Oct. 23. The timing matters because starting Oct. 1, the city — not the Park Board — will handle short-term rental registration and hotel occupancy tax collection.

Instead of a traditional meeting format, the Oct. 9 forum will have information stations where people can stop, read through the proposals and ask questions.

The city has also launched a short-term rental survey online and will have paper copies available during the forum.

Photo credit: Fagan Law