On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals.

The county regulations were first proposed back in March 2019 when supervisors directed staff members to prepare a package of ordinances that would enhance regulations of short-term rentals in the county’s unincorporated areas.

Better Neighbors L.A. hosted a press conference outside of the Board of Supervisors meeting to encourage the board to pass the ordinance. Unite Here! Local 11, representing restaurant and hotel workers, and the Coalition for Economic Survival joined them in supporting the new rules.

“We’re calling on the supervisors to vote yes to regulate an out-of-control industry. Unregulated short-term rentals in L.A. County remove affordable housing from the housing market. Los Angeles County needs that housing and this ordinance protects and preserves it,” said Nancy Hannah of Better Neighbors L.A.

The new proposed regulations would require hosts to register with the county every year. Hosts will now only be allowed to list their primary residence, renting out investment or second homes would be prohibited, and it would require all hosts to register with the county and pay an annual licensing fee of $914.

The supervisors debated whether a proposed annual registration fee of $914 was too expensive for lower-income homeowners hoping to earn extra income renting out their homes, and asked that the new version of the ordinance include a mechanism for subsidizing or lowering this fee for low-income hosts. The board will return for another vote to finalize that aspect next month.

“Short-term rental policies impact everyone, whether it’s an individual who’s renting their property, someone who lives next door, someone who may find it more difficult to find a permanent affordable rental unit because there are more short-term rentals on the market and it’s taking up our housing stock,” said Lindsey Horvath, Chair of the Board of Supervisors who represents a good portion of the Westside.

She further stated that California continues to have a severe housing shortage with units being used as short-term rentals that could have been potentially used for permanent rental housing.

“In my district, I’ve heard from many community members who are both supportive of short-term rentals, and some who are opposed to them. So it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all solution is not going to include everyone. It’s likely that not everyone will be happy with whatever ordinance the board adopts today,” said Horvath.

Companies such as Airbnb and VRBO would be required to comply with the new regulations, and establish an enforcement and appeals process for customers who fail to comply with the new regulations.

If passed, the new rules would take effect 180 days after a final vote.

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