SAN DIEGO — A move to crack down on short-term vacation rentals is moving through the state legislature. An Encinitas assemblymember is calling for restrictions on Airbnb-type rental homes in coastal communities in San Diego County only. The bill has mixed reviews from both sides, even those who want to restrict short-term rentals fear the latest proposal to regulate them would simply move the problem inland.
“We heard time and time again, ‘Why should we build more housing if it’s just going to be full-time short-term vacation rentals?’” said Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner-Horvath who authored Assembly Bill 1731.
The bill would impact the more than 8,000 coastal homes listed on home-share sites such as Airbnb and Homeaway in San diego County only.
"If we do build, I fear that it will be a lot of short-term vacation rentals and not housing for our families,” said Boerner-Horvath.
AB 1731 would restrict home-share sites from listing properties for more than 30 days unless there is someone who is on the property year-round.
"We are really getting at that issue of full-time short-term vacation rentals and removing housing from our housing market,” Boerner-Horvath said.
Local Democrats Lorena Gonzalez and Shirley Weber voted yes on AB 1731 while Democrat Todd Gloria voted no along with Republicans Randy Voepel and Marie Waldron. Democrat Brian Maienschein abstained.
Last fall, the San Diego City Council rescinded a vote to crack down on short-term vacation rentals after Share San Diego submitted enough signatures to force a ballot referendum
Shortly after representative Boerner-Horvath tweeted about AB 1731 on Friday, a real estate, construction, and developing accountant replied he "can assure you banning STVRs will NOT make any material effect on housing availability, affordability, or rents. You're avoiding the math and wasting tax payer time and energy with these shenanigans.”
News 8 reached out to Airbnb for a comment on the legislation. They provided the following statement:
"AB 1731 is a misguided bill that will restrict access to the California coast, violate private property and impact San Diegans ability to earn supplemental income. This is an issue that should be dealt with at the city level, and we remain committed to those conversations."