Tag Archives: AIRBNB

Community News, Local News

Bye-Bye Airbnb? County Moves to Regulate Non-Host Rentals

The Inyo County Board of Supervisors discussed short-term rental regulations at Tuesday’s meeting in Independence, CA.

A major talking point among the board pertained to problems with non-host short-term rentals, which supervisors identified as a major problem in an area already severely limited on available housing. Fifth District Supervisor, Matt Kingsley voiced his concerns about how non-host rentals can cause harm to neighborhoods. “The main issue we are dealing with today is making sure neighborhoods do not change too much. We have Amsterdam, Venice, and Darwin all struggling with the same issue [of eliminating affordable housing.]”

District Supervisor, Jeff Griffiths expressed similar concerns saying, “The number one concern should be affordable housing.”

Though the board appeared to disapprove of non-host rentals, short-term rentals with a host on the premise did not cause much ire. All of the supervisors were in favor of allowing what the county calls “R2” rentals, which require a host be on site.

One important component in the regulations discussed pertained to the definition of exactly what a host is defined as. Under the proposed ordinance, there must be a “designated representative which means a person or persons designated by the owner to represent them as a ‘host’ during the duration of a renters stay.” This means that host rentals must have either the owner of the property on site or a manager while travelers use the property.

While the Board of Supervisors appear close to making a final decision on the rental ordinance, Matt Kingsley spoke about the importance of issuing a moratorium, which would prohibit any new applications for non-host short-term rentals being filed. The south county area supervisor said, “A moratorium on new permits is important until we can come to a decision on this matter.”

Issuing a moratorium may be a bit more difficult than the supervisors envision. According to the Board of Supervisor’s legal counsel, the county must identify an “current or immediate threat” to surrounding areas. Lawyers for Inyo County said they were unable to identify a problem that would allow for a moratorium.

Local News

BISHOP PUBLIC WORKSHOP

City of Bishop to hold workshop on short term rentals

Posted by Seth Conners

According to Elaine Kabala from the Bishop Public Works Department, on Monday, April 24th, the Bishop City Council will hold a public workshop during the regular City Council meeting to garner public input on drafting regulations to allow for short-term rentals in Bishop City limits.

In the past several years, websites such as Airbnb and VRBO have increased the number of people renting out their home or a room in their home on a short-term basis (under 30 days) both regionally and nationally. There are currently a handful of short-term rentals available within City limits.

City Council held an initial discussion regarding short-term rentals with the public at their regular meeting on March 13th. Several short-term rental operators spoke in favor of regulating the use, saying that short-term rentals allow tourists a unique lodging option that can’t be found at local hotels. Some residents voiced concerns about allowing for a quasi-commercial use in residential neighborhoods. One hotel owner said that he didn’t mind allowing short-term rentals, but that they should be required to play by the same rules as hotels, such as meeting building and safety standards, and paying Transient Occupancy Taxes or TOT.

The City Council is interested in receiving further public input on the pros and cons of short-term rentals within City limits before directing staff to prepare an ordinance regulating the use. The workshop is open to the public, and will be held during the City Council meeting on Monday, April 24th at 6:00 pm at the Council Chambers at Bishop City Hall, 301 West Line Street.