Malibu Measure T: Yes Votes Lead

MALIBU, CA — Measure T, a ballot measure question proposing that hotels and AirBnbs pay 15 percent, rather than 12 percent of rent charged, continues to lead in Malibu, though the results will not be certified until Nov. 30.

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Malibu is a tourist destination of international renown, and each year, even during a pandemic, millions of tourists flock to this tiny town. According to Los Angeles County Lifeguard and Fire authorities, roughly 7.5 million tourists visited Malibu between May 25 and Aug. 19, 2013.

This inevitably causes friction in a city of just 13,000 residents devoted to preserving its quiet, rural character. This year, the Malibu City Council gave preliminary approval to ordinances designed to curtail the proliferation of short-term rental homes, which have long contributed to overdevelopment and quality-of-life complaints.

At the same time, COVID-19 has caused a sharp drop in tourism, and the city has lost revenue it would normally gain from the transient occupancy tax, which is levied on hotels and Airbnbs as a percentage of rent charged.

The measure asks: "Shall a measure be adopted increasing the transient occupancy tax paid by hotel and other lodging guests from 12% to 15% of rent charged, raising approximately $775,000 annually until ended by voters, with revenue to be controlled and used locally for general municipal services in Malibu?"

In a city hurting for revenue and wary towards hotels, it is unsurprising that this measure is attracting support from many of the City Council candidates. Keep refreshing to see how this ballot measure plays out.