Boston City Council to Consider Airbnb Regulations

BOSTON, MA — City Council members will soon take up a debate over the potential regulation of Airbnb and other short-term rental services, believed by some councilors to be a factor in Boston's housing affordability challenges.

Frank Baker and Salvatore LaMattina got the go-ahead for a public hearing on the issue at Wednesday's meeting.

According to their hearing request, "These types of rentals have raised concerns and created problems in Boston and elsewhere when the spaces are used for loud or late-night gatherings, and when the rentals lead to unauthorized access into condominium or apartment complexes, violations of City trash, parking and noise policies, or turn neighborhoods zoned for residential living into impromptu hotel districts."

The state Legislature this summer weighed the possibility of taxing Airbnb in a similar manner to hotels, a move that would bring in an estimated $30 million in revenue and was supported by Airbnb itself. That bill didn't get off the ground in the last legislative session, but is expected to be a hot topic on legislators' next go-round. Airbnb told Patch it's in favor of the state's proposal.

Some Airbnb rentals are replacing traditional long-term rental units at high prices, according to a 2015 report by the Boston Globe, and a moderate percentage Airbnb users rent multiple Boston properties.

The council's Committee on Housing and Community Development will schedule a hearing, then bring in industry experts and members of the public to discuss the possibility of regulations in Boston.

>> Airbnb photo via Open Grid Scheduler, Flickr/Creative Commons