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Committee backs short‑term rental registration and tax collection plan; staff to develop enforcement details
Summary
Committee asked staff to prepare a short‑term rental registration program and tax‑collection approach that would require hosts to register, provide a 24‑hour contact and meet neighborhood operating standards; staff will return with a draft ordinance and enforcement plan.
The Planning and Development Committee reviewed staff proposals for a short‑term rental (STR) registration program and accepted staff direction to draft an ordinance and implementation plan that would require hosts to register, disclose a 24‑hour contact and comply with operating standards intended to reduce neighborhood impacts. Staff said most local listings were on Airbnb and that the platform offered a local portal and outreach assistance, but that Airbnb no longer enters tax remittance agreements with cities; hosts are treated as the responsible parties for hotel tax collection.
Staff explained the program would be a registration system (not a proactive inspection regime) that collects contact information, unit type, occupancy limits and on‑site parking rules. Proposed standards include on‑site parking where available, compliance with noise and nuisance regulations, refuse storage out of public view, and limits on occupancy tied to registration. Staff proposed progressive fines, registration suspension or revocation for repeat violations and coordination with the nuisance abatement process. The city would subscribe to a third‑party data service (AirDNA) to identify listings and estimate revenue for tax calculation and compliance.
Committee members and the mayor emphasized the need for clear enforcement tools—contactable owners, a progressive penalty or three‑strike rule and the ability to remove listings from platforms when chronic violations occur. Staff said Airbnb will notify hosts about a city program if the city provides program details, but Airbnb will not collect hotel tax for the city; the city will need a registration and tax remittance path for hosts. Staff will return in the coming months with draft ordinance language, fee structure options (including possible one‑time registration fee) and an enforcement plan tied to nuisance abatement and adjudication processes.
Next steps: staff to draft a registration ordinance, evaluate subscription data costs, propose a fee or tax remittance process, and return to committee with a formal proposal for adoption.
