Current Law:
The Palo Alto City Council is in no rush to regulate the illegal short-term rental industry in town.
At a study session Monday, council members concluded that businesses such as Airbnb are causing few problems.
In fact, a report from City Manager James Keene said the city investigated just seven complaints in the past 18 months. Two were dismissed, four were substantiated and another is pending.
“This hardly strikes me as a hot-button issue,” said Councilman Greg Scharff.
There was no formal vote, but the council agreed to stick the issue on the backburner for 12 months.
“Short-term rentals to remain unregulated –for now,” San Jose Mercury News, March 11, 2015
Reports:
03/09/2015: Short-Term Rentals and Home Occupation Uses in Residential Neighborhoods – Staff Report (City of Palo Alto)
12/15/2014: City Council Memo Regarding Regulation of Short-term Rentals in Residential Neighborhoods (City of Palo Alto)
News:
03/11/2015: Palo Alto: Short-term rentals to remain unregulated — for now (San Jose Mercury News)
03/10/2015: Palo Alto opts not to regulate Airbnb rentals (Palo Alto Weekly)