New software used by City of Savannah to streamline STVR tracking, boost enforcement

When a City of Savannah staffer opens up the newly launched Rentalscape Short-Term Vacation Rental software, they are shown a world of data.

There is an interactive map that will show the array of STVR locations around Savannah, a dashboard with graphics showing revenues, STVR booking activity and more. The database updates every 24 hours.

"It's definitely a game-changer for us at the city," said Bridget Lidy, Savannah's director of planning and urban design.

The software, purchased with city council approval in July 2023, is expected to boost the city's enforcement of unpermitted STVRs while providing residents a 24-hour hotline to submit complaints. Later this summer, a public-facing portal tracking the city's STVRs will be available for resident use.

The proliferation of STVRS throughout Savannah's core has become a prominent quality-of-life issue for residents, and the software launched at a time Mayor Van Johnson has made livability a priority of his second term.

"For us, it's about investing and leveraging technology," Johnson said. "For those not playing well in the sandbox, not following the rules, we're going to find you."

Rentalscape can scrub sites such as Airbnb or Vrbo for listings in Savannah. The software then allows those listings to be checked against city records of license numbers. When a listing does not show a license number, code compliance knows they have a case to look into.

With 24-hour updates, the software allows for more proactive enforcement, city staffers say. Previously, code compliance relied primarily on complaints for enforcement.

"From there we don't have to wait for the complaint to come in, and that is going to be a major change for us," Code Compliance Director Cynthia Knight told the Savannah Morning News previously.

The software has also allowed the city's revenue and planning departments to have a fully online application process. New applications, renewals, documentation and payments are now housed and tracked online through the software.

Included with the software is an exclusive STVR complaint portal and hotline, which will ease the burden of the city's 311 line previously used for STVR complaints. City officials encourage residents to exclusively use the complaint portal or hotline (912-226-0320) for STVR-related issues. The complaint portal offers the ability to upload photo or video evidence.

Since the complaint line went live on May 15, the city has received 29 complaints through the portal as of June 26, City of Savannah Press Secretary Joshua Peacock said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.