The St. Paul City Council will decide on Sept. 26 whether to allow homeowners across St. Paul to add so-called “mother-in-law apartments,” or “granny flats.”

City Council Member Chris Tolbert said he wanted city staff to firm up language on “accessory dwelling units” and whether they could be leased out as part of Airbnb offerings and through other short-term rental platforms.

“I’m trying to figure out how this interplays with the short-term rentals, to make sure it’s as tightly written as we would want it to be,” Tolbert said.

Council Member Dan Bostrom said it was important for the city to clarify how accessory dwelling units will be regulated when a property changes hands. The proposed ordinance requires homes that add accessory dwellings to be owner-occupied, but it’s unclear how the rule would be enforced if the property is sold.