California Vacation Rentals Controversy

Do Californians Have a Right to Airbnb on the Coast? California Coastal Commission says, "Yes."

The California Coastal Commission Chairman in 2016 sent  a letter to all coastal cities and counties saying they had to get commission approval before placing restrictions on short-term rentals. He said the commission would generally not support outright bans.  The 1976 Coastal Act calls for protecting and encouraging "lower cost visitor and recreational facilities," including overnight accommodations.

• Anaheimshort-term rental owners have a February 2018 deadline to close up shop.
• San Diego's Aug.2017 drafted ordinance would allow up to two paying visitors to stay in a room within a home and full-home rental stays of fewer than 30 days.   The property owner is required to remain in the home while the visitor stays for fewer than 30 days. No more than two lodgers are allowed,  for only one room or with one party. At least one parking space must be provided.   
• InBerkeleyshort-term rentals are  squeezing out renters.
• In nearbySan Franciscoa supervisor's Airbnb proposal would legalize short-term rentals while housing activists file a petition seeking more regulation.
• Carlsbadallows short-term vacation rentals in the coastal zone, defined by the California Coastal Commission as the area that generally extends 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide line or, in some cases, inland to the first major ridgeline.
• After a yearlong moratorium, in September 2016Laguna Beachpermanently banned rentals for 30 days or less in a residential neighborhood, but 81 units were grandfathered in. The new regulations allow short-term rentals in commercial zones.
• InLos Angelesa group recommends the use of companies to seek out violators online and wants the city to accept evidence submitted by neighbors to back up overwhelmed city workers.
• Long Beachas of March 2017  short-term rentals are not permitted under the city's municipal code, but that hasn’t stopped more than 1,100 listings from popping up on various home-sharing sites. The local law allows for rooms to be rented, but the owner must live in the unit.
• InDel Marthe municipal code prohibits the rentals in residential areas. Short-term rentals have thrived for decades and the city didn't regulate them.
• Vacation rentals are prohibited in the City ofHuntington Beach. Short-term vacation rentals are defined as any residence rented for a term of less than thirty (30) consecutive days. The commercial operation of a short-term vacation rental in single-family and multiple-family zones is not permitted under the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.  Huntington Beach officials plan to reevaluate the restrictions on short-term vacation rentals.
• Santa Monicahosted rentals (home-sharing) is allowed when at least one of the primary residents lives on site throughout the visitor’s stay for 30 days or less. A business license is required, approx. 14% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) must be collected and other rules apply.
• Newport Beachshort term lodging is allowed but is limited to certain residential districts and requires a business license and short term lodging permit from the City.  There are approx. 700 short-term rental units yielding 10% for each rental under 30 days (same as hotels).  In 2016, $1.95 million was collected by the city in short-term rental taxes.
• Santa Barbara & Santa Barbara County: Residential ban renders 92% of permitted STRs in residential zones and on small agricultural parcels designated AG-I  illegal starting in September 2018. Large AG-II properties and in areas zoned for commercial and mixed use must conform to specific rules.
• San Luis Obispo Countyhired Host Compliance (hostcompliance.com) in Sept. 2016 to  scan websites for new listings checking them for zoning and permit compliance in Cambria and San Simeon for TOT collection and other regulations.
• Seal Beachbanned new short-term rentals in 2013 and people operating at the time had to apply for a conditional-use permit. Only about a dozen homes are allowed to operate short-term rentals in Seal Beach. 30 listed on Airbnb in Sept. 2017

Why do homeowners want to get into the business of short term rental?

• Listing your space on Airbnb is free. Airbnb and several other companies take a 3% host service fee on each reservation.
• The average price per room night for California is $328.
• Property owners can double, triple or quadruple income in short term rentals. 
• In May 2017, 1 million U.S. guests stayed in Airbnb homes on Memorial Day weekend alone. Bookings peaked on Aug.12.
• Airbnb's feel-good mission is to create a world where people can belong when they travel by being connected to local cultures and having unique travel experiences.

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