Planning Commission Approves New Short-Term Rental Regulations

May 22, 2023 ·

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The West Hollywood Planning Commission unanimously motioned to add an amendment to the city’s current short-term vacation rental regulations at a regular meeting on May 18. 

The amendment addresses an illegal loophole that some short-term rental hosts have used, called the “bait and switch” method. This entails a host creating a listing for a short-term vacation rental, on Airbnb for example, in an area outside of West Hollywood city limits to avoid being flagged and penalized by law enforcement. Once the guest accepts the booking, the host sends them the correct address, which is located in West Hollywood. 

This can cause confusion with the guest because the location for the original listing is not correct or in use by the host. There have been incidents reported of guests showing up to a location that is not their actual destination, leaving the residents of the home confused or startled. 

According to NBC4, the decision comes as West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne says there has been an increase in people trying to list rent-stabilized apartments on the short-term rental market. There is a current ordinance that bans un-hosted short-term rentals. 

About 80 percent of West Hollywood’s 36,000 residents are renters, and some organizations and community members are concerned about the impact short-term vacation rentals have on available affordable housing. Better Neighbors of Los Angeles describe themselves as “a coalition of Southern California hosts, tenants, housing activists, hotel workers, and community members.” They operate a hotline that people can use to report illegal short-term rentals in their area. The coalition received several complaints about the “bait and switch” issue as early as last summer. 

In addition to the new amendment, the Planning Commission recommended that the West Hollywood City Council re-examine the fee structure established with short-term rental platforms. City Council will discuss both matters at a meeting set for June 26, 2023.

By Paige Strickland

Next Post

Juveniles Arrested In Robbery, Firearm Incident

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that two juveniles were arrested for a series of crimes that has unfolded in Santa in recent months. On Monday, May 15, at…
Read
Previous Post

House Party Theft Occurs On North Kings Road

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Monday, May 15, a home on North Kings Road was robbed while a house party was being held. Footage shows three women entering the home through the front door just before 3 a.m. and leaving around 20 minutes…
Read
Random Post

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Starts September 5

MALIBU—On Tuesday, August 20, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that as part of its ongoing efforts toward community-wide preparedness, the city is offering the next round of the highly popular Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.…
Read
Random Post

BH Hosting Next Night Street Festival

BEVERLY HILLS—The city will be celebrating the sixth annual NEXT NIGHT Street Festival on Saturday, September 23 from 4 p.m. thru 9 p.m. The event will be held on the 200 block of South Beverly Drive with land live music…
Read
Random Post

WeHo Upgrading To New Permitting System

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Thursday, August 1, the city of West Hollywood disclosed it is launching a new, comprehensive enterprise permitting and licensing management system in August 2024. This advanced software will transform the city’s permitting, planning, regulatory licensing, and code enforcement…
Read
Random Post

Hybrid Remote And In-Person Meetings At City Hall Starting July 17

MALIBU—The Malibu City Council voted on June 12 to have the Planning Commission start holding its meetings in a hybrid in-person and remote format starting July 17, as result of low COVID-19 conditions in Los Angeles County Los Angeles County.…
Read