Austin short-term rental operators can expect to see a streamlined licensing process for their properties and increased enforcement of unsanctioned units, following regulatory changes that went into effect this fall.

What's happening: Changes rolling out in the weeks and months ahead follow an "overhaul" of local policies related to short-term rentals, or STRs, completed this year. The process played out in response to some past legal challenges to Austin's STR system, and in an effort to rein in the thousands of unlicensed STRs believed to be operating around town.

To that end, City Council advanced contracts totaling nearly $2.5 million to assist with STR enforcement and licensing services. The contracts, both with San Diego-based Deckard Technologies, were authorized Nov. 20.

Quote of note: "We look forward to having these tools in place to improve compliance and services for short-term rentals in Austin," Austin Development Services spokesperson Robbie Searcy said in an email.

Konbini, a new sushi spot, opened inside the Papercut cocktail bar in East Austin in mid November.

What’s on the menu: The restaurant serves nigiri, sashimi and crudos featuring a variety of protein options, including wagyu, madai, maguro zuke and kanpachi.

Konbini’s menu is inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine alongside flavors from Texas and Mexico. Menu options will rotate frequently depending on the season and regional flavors, according to Konbini information.

The business serves cocktails and infused highballs developed by Papercut bartenders. Japanese liquors Awamori, Shochu and whisky are also available alongside a curated sake list.

The backstory: The team behind Papercut opened the new sushi concept in collaboration with chefs Danielle Martinez and Michael Carranza of Tare, a Michelin-recognized restaurant in North Austin.

Papercut is a craft cocktail bar that serves drinks paying homage to artwork and artists featured in its contemporary art gallery.

• 908 E. Fifth St., Ste. 107, Austin

Downtown hotel Hyatt Regency Austin marked the completion of a property-wide renovation in November.

The details: The property renovation impacted the hotel’s 448 guestrooms and suites and introduced three new dining concepts:

• Ripple & Roots, a Tex-Mex restaurant led by Chef de Cuisine Perla Alvarado in partnership with Executive Chef Kevin Patton, that offers an indoor-outdoor bar, a patio on Lady Bird Lake and service at the remodeled pool and cabanas
• Cypress Grove, a restaurant and dining space specializing in breakfast and supporting private catering functions for lunch and dinner
• Juniper Breeze Market, a grab-and-go market cafe

• A refresh of the lobby
• Redesigned guestrooms and the addition of two new guestrooms, including the Lake View Residence suite
• Upgraded meeting and event spaces

So far in 2025, Community Impact has covered two election cycles, major transportation updates, development news and local businesses throughout the greater Austin area.

Learn more about the top stories this year to date.

1. Billboard on Bee Caves Road receives resident complaints, city violation notice

2. A regional destination: Texas’ second-largest retail store set to bring visitors to Cedar Park

3. City of Austin to take unauthorized billboard to court

4. Check out these 20 new nonstop destinations from Austin’s airport

5. Billboard in Round Rock faces removal amid ordinance violation

International shipping company DHL has expanded its services with an additional location in Texas.

What to know: The brand has launched a new DHL ServicePoint location in Austin which is now offering shipping services. The location helps international consumer, B2C and B2B deliveries, as stated in a news release.

The North Austin location features international and domestic shipping services for account holders and non-account holders. Customers can export to over 220 destinations worldwide or ship within the U.S. The site also sells packing supplies and offers staffed assistance.

• 5610 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. D, Austin

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.