GEORGETOWN — Short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnbs and Vrbos could soon face additional regulations in Georgetown as city leaders seek to avoid the problems that other South Carolina tourist destinations have faced with these properties.

City ordinances already define short-term rentals, but the city has never outlined which areas can offer this type of activity.

"A lot of municipalities are being impacted by short-term vacation rentals," said Robert Cox, the city's interim director of planning and community development. "Whether that be parking, whether that be revenue, getting no revenue, whatever. Places like Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, city of Charleston, Moncks Corner, Summerville to name a few, are just getting bombarded like we are."

The lack of zoning was discovered by Zoning Administrator Peter Gaytan when he looked through city ordinances to find whether a River Road home could be used for short-term vacation rentals. Gaytan found Georgetown's definition of short-term vacation rentals, but he realized the city never mapped out where they are allowed to operate.

"We also have a zoning use classification chart that breaks down different businesses or different uses, and it'll tell you if it's permitted or not," Gaytan said. "And short-term vacation rentals is nowhere on that list. So because it's not on the list, per our zoning ordinance, it's not allowed."

Gaytan estimated there are about 40 such rentals in Georgetown, but he cautioned that he has only worked for the city for a few months.

Gaytan outlined five choices for the council: do away with short-term vacation rentals altogether, allow them in all zoning districts, allow them in all residential districts, allow them in only some residential districts or limit their numbers per zoning district.

Councilman Jim Clements said the council has learned lessons from other communities, such as the ones Cox named. Though the council's role is not to react but to anticipate, Clements said, in this case, the council will be reacting in bringing about a new policy.

"I don't think anybody at this table wants to be handed problems," Clements said. "They want to be handed solutions, they want to get ahead of the curve. None of us like surprises, right? So let's work together to achieve that. … At the end of the day, we're going to have a consensus agreement for the betterment of this entire community."

Mayor Carol Jayroe said the matter will be on the council's agenda for Sept. 21 after a plan is compiled by city staff.