Post by High Priestess on Oct 4, 2015 17:15:23 GMT
Tom shared in July 2015:
Curious about hosting air beds, couches, etc. within SF Planning Codes
I had so much fun hosting a space that is not a room before and during Pride Week. It was super cheap + breakfast but we have had so much fun meeting new people. You’ll not make a bundle but you so get to meet some amazing people.
We hosted a struggling screenwriter, a PhD candidate and his friend, and a 2nd grade teacher and her friend from NYC. And I was so surprised that they didn’t mind my 3 kids, dog, and cat. Of course, for $50 a night with breakfast and free museum passes- it’s a great bargain.
What they all had in common was lack of funds and a need to stay somewhere affordable and safe.
I pulled my listing because I wasn’t sure about the current laws. Can we rent out spaces that are not bedrooms?
Keith:
As I understand the current law, any space used to host the guest has to be legal (and permitted or inspected if it was a home made add-on). This is partly why the planning department does the permitting, they're verifying a space is in compliance with zoning and is safe for tourists.
The way I see it is... You can make personal choices to take a risk of living/sleeping wherever you want but the city has a responsibility to make sure tourists are only offered space that meets a standard.
I believe what your offering is great (and safe) but the city needs to go by something so current building codes are the guide.
However, I don't think there are consequences for what your doing ... The risk may be that you get a cease and desist for those specific listings....it may be that they investigate and/or revoke your permit.
Really, planning has so much low hanging fruit doe enforcement you should be low on the list if you do somehow make the list.
My personal opinion is that you should happily continue until told otherwise. This isn't a legal opinion-your doing a good thing here so I hope nothing gets in your way.
Peter:
Tom, the definitions of a Residential Unit and Residential Use are quite broadly defined in the Short-term Rental Ordinance [San Francisco]. A Residential Unit includes a "portion" of a room rented out to be occupied for Residential Use. The latter is defined as "(a)ny use for occupancy of a Residential Unit by a Permanent Resident."
Curious about hosting air beds, couches, etc. within SF Planning Codes
I had so much fun hosting a space that is not a room before and during Pride Week. It was super cheap + breakfast but we have had so much fun meeting new people. You’ll not make a bundle but you so get to meet some amazing people.
We hosted a struggling screenwriter, a PhD candidate and his friend, and a 2nd grade teacher and her friend from NYC. And I was so surprised that they didn’t mind my 3 kids, dog, and cat. Of course, for $50 a night with breakfast and free museum passes- it’s a great bargain.
What they all had in common was lack of funds and a need to stay somewhere affordable and safe.
I pulled my listing because I wasn’t sure about the current laws. Can we rent out spaces that are not bedrooms?
Keith:
As I understand the current law, any space used to host the guest has to be legal (and permitted or inspected if it was a home made add-on). This is partly why the planning department does the permitting, they're verifying a space is in compliance with zoning and is safe for tourists.
The way I see it is... You can make personal choices to take a risk of living/sleeping wherever you want but the city has a responsibility to make sure tourists are only offered space that meets a standard.
I believe what your offering is great (and safe) but the city needs to go by something so current building codes are the guide.
However, I don't think there are consequences for what your doing ... The risk may be that you get a cease and desist for those specific listings....it may be that they investigate and/or revoke your permit.
Really, planning has so much low hanging fruit doe enforcement you should be low on the list if you do somehow make the list.
My personal opinion is that you should happily continue until told otherwise. This isn't a legal opinion-your doing a good thing here so I hope nothing gets in your way.
Peter:
Tom, the definitions of a Residential Unit and Residential Use are quite broadly defined in the Short-term Rental Ordinance [San Francisco]. A Residential Unit includes a "portion" of a room rented out to be occupied for Residential Use. The latter is defined as "(a)ny use for occupancy of a Residential Unit by a Permanent Resident."