Updated Nov. 29:
The L.A. City Council passed two housing and development-related ordinances yesterday aimed at both short-term rentals and new hotel builds. The council voted 14 to 0 in favor of a new city law that will require hosts of short-term rentals, including Airbnbs, and hotels to obtain a police permit. Despite voting in favor, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson asked the city to look at potential alternatives to the police permit for short-term rental hosts in the future.
As part of the permitting package, the council also approved a measure that will require new hotel builds to go through a more extensive approval process. It will also require developers to replace any housing that is demolished to make way for their projects.
Two housing-related proposals are up for consideration at today’s L.A. City Council meeting that could have major ramifications for both short-term rental hosts and developers. First, Council President Paul Krekorian wants the city to consider a new law that would require short-term rental hosts to obtain a police permit.
Krekorian says the permit requirement will help the city crack down on properties that draw illicit behavior and parties, but critics of the proposal say it will simply add another regulatory hurdle for short-term rental and hotel operators. If it were to pass, the new law would then require those applying for a permit to undergo a background check. Also, the L.A. Times notes that initial fees can be hundreds of dollars.
There are currently approximately 6,725 short-term rental units listed with the city, according to the city’s Planning Department. Airbnb has yet to comment on the proposal.
On the development side of housing, Krekorian has also authored the so-called Responsible Hotel Ordinance. It would require developers of new hotel properties to replace any permanent housing lost in the process. It would also introduce provisions to bolster public oversight over such development, and increase the supply of interim housing available to the city.
As part of the ordinance, the city would create a registry of vacant rooms that can be made available for interim housing.
Should the ordnance pass the council vote, it would go into effect July 1, 2024.