At the beginning of July, Austin’s code department launched a month-long pilot program for regulating short-term rental properties. The trial, intended to back a 2012 ordinance with real enforcement, includes 24/7 direct response to 311 calls from neighbors reporting noise, pollution or other complaints.

The Austin Chronicle reported that the first weekend of the program’s launch, which coincided with the July 4th holiday, saw 51 inspections thanks to calls.

The Chronicle reported that, as of last April, there were 1,154 short-term rental properties registered in Austin, as well as an unknown number of illegal units.

Enforcing short-term rental laws has been tricky in Austin and other cities.

“The problem is, you can’t just kick down people’s doors,” Jacqueline Ballone, code department spokesperson, told the Chronicle. “How do we deal with over-occupancy if we can’t enter the home?” According to the Chronicle:

Addressing those unlawful rentals is at the heart of an effort before the City Council to amend the existing ordinance. To support that change, the results of the pilot program may show that regardless of enforcement, the ordinance as it stands is untenable. A Council resolution led by District 10 CM Sheri Gallo is expected to pick up where the enforcement initiative leaves off by requesting city management investigate the citizen complaints and determine if there are “gaps” in city policy that need action.

Proposed amendments to the ordinance from the code department include penalties for unlicensed or expired properties, a clause to allow for inspections for over-occupancy, and a requirement for all short-term rental ads to say explicitly, “It is a violation of city code to allow more than six unrelated adults to occupy the dwelling unit at one time.”

The pilot program continues through August 8th.