Post by High Priestess on Dec 15, 2015 15:33:36 GMT
See this article about the short term rental regulations in Nashville:
www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/14/airbnb-rule-would-try-stop-large-parties/77316518/
Excerpt:
"The Metro Council will consider tightening regulations aimed at the popular home-renting online service Airbnb to try to stop hosts from exceeding the number of per-night guests than new rules allow.
A new ordinance sponsored by Councilwoman Burkley Allen would make it illegal for Airbnb and other short-term rental hosts to advertise a rental property for more occupants than is permitted. Doing so would result in a violator's short-term rental permit getting revoked.
In addition, the proposal would clarify that only one short-term rental permit is permitted per each lot that contains either a single-family or two-family home. This measure is intended to prevent Airbnb hosts who own and operate duplexes from renting out two residences at one time.
Under a set of new regulations the council passed this year, Airbnb hosts in Nashville can advertise only four “sleeping rooms” per rental. Those same rules allow a maximum occupancy of 12 guests at any one time — or no more than twice the number of beds, plus four.
There is evidence, however, that suggests some Airbnb hosts are welcoming more guests than the number allowed.
The latest ordinance, which heads to the Metro Council for a first of three votes Tuesday, is intended to give the codes department a way to enforce the maximum occupancy limit. Instead of visiting an Airbnb home for inspection, codes officials could simply monitor what is advertised on the Airbnb website.
“There are now probably somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 (short-term rental properties) in Nashville and I hear very few complaints,” Allen said. “The only complaints I hear are about the large (homes) that are being used for party houses.
“It’s much easier if codes can just say, ‘You’re advertising for 16 people when that’s not legal in Nashville,’ ” she said. “As opposed to codes having to walk into a (home) and count how many people are there.”
After leading the nation in year-over-year growth in 2014 for summer bookings on Airbnb, the region has started to regulate the growing short-term rental industry.
Last fall, Metro began taxing Airbnb hosts the same rates it does hotels and motels. And in February, the council adopted a set of new regulations that included requiring operators to receive an annual permit with the Metro Codes department.
In addition to limits on the number of guests, that same law also regulates signage, noise, recreational vehicle parking and food service; limits stays of guests to 30 days; and requires that principal owners be at least 21 years old."
My two cents:
This is the first I have ever heard of any city government making it illegal to advertise in a certain way. Even though I am empathetic with cities not wanting Airbnb parties and the problems those bring, I find it disturbing that the city would pass laws on how one can advertise.
www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/14/airbnb-rule-would-try-stop-large-parties/77316518/
Excerpt:
"The Metro Council will consider tightening regulations aimed at the popular home-renting online service Airbnb to try to stop hosts from exceeding the number of per-night guests than new rules allow.
A new ordinance sponsored by Councilwoman Burkley Allen would make it illegal for Airbnb and other short-term rental hosts to advertise a rental property for more occupants than is permitted. Doing so would result in a violator's short-term rental permit getting revoked.
In addition, the proposal would clarify that only one short-term rental permit is permitted per each lot that contains either a single-family or two-family home. This measure is intended to prevent Airbnb hosts who own and operate duplexes from renting out two residences at one time.
Under a set of new regulations the council passed this year, Airbnb hosts in Nashville can advertise only four “sleeping rooms” per rental. Those same rules allow a maximum occupancy of 12 guests at any one time — or no more than twice the number of beds, plus four.
There is evidence, however, that suggests some Airbnb hosts are welcoming more guests than the number allowed.
The latest ordinance, which heads to the Metro Council for a first of three votes Tuesday, is intended to give the codes department a way to enforce the maximum occupancy limit. Instead of visiting an Airbnb home for inspection, codes officials could simply monitor what is advertised on the Airbnb website.
“There are now probably somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 (short-term rental properties) in Nashville and I hear very few complaints,” Allen said. “The only complaints I hear are about the large (homes) that are being used for party houses.
“It’s much easier if codes can just say, ‘You’re advertising for 16 people when that’s not legal in Nashville,’ ” she said. “As opposed to codes having to walk into a (home) and count how many people are there.”
After leading the nation in year-over-year growth in 2014 for summer bookings on Airbnb, the region has started to regulate the growing short-term rental industry.
Last fall, Metro began taxing Airbnb hosts the same rates it does hotels and motels. And in February, the council adopted a set of new regulations that included requiring operators to receive an annual permit with the Metro Codes department.
In addition to limits on the number of guests, that same law also regulates signage, noise, recreational vehicle parking and food service; limits stays of guests to 30 days; and requires that principal owners be at least 21 years old."
My two cents:
This is the first I have ever heard of any city government making it illegal to advertise in a certain way. Even though I am empathetic with cities not wanting Airbnb parties and the problems those bring, I find it disturbing that the city would pass laws on how one can advertise.