The City Council on Wednesday confirmed its earlier vote to enact tough new regulations on short-term vacation rentals in San Diego.
Despite likely legal challenges by Airbnb and HomeAway, the council voted 6-2, with David Alvarez and Scott Sherman opposed and Chris Cate, who voted against the measure last month, absent.
The second-reading vote came after a five-hour special meeting on the issue that has defied a council compromise for years.
“This respects the original spirit of the sharing economy,” said Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who along with Lorie Zapf spearheaded the compromise. “It is a true compromise and it preserves our precious housing stock.”
But Councilman Sherman said the ordinance amounted to “taking your property,” especially in Mission Beach, where rentals are most common.
The new ordinance is now set to go into effect almost a year from now, unless a legal challenge is successful or the California Coastal Commission rules against it.
Under the new ordinance, home owners will be able to rent their primary residence while they are not present for up to six months each year as long as they apply for a permit and pay an annual fee of $949. Three-night minimums will be required in coastal areas and downtown.
The regulations prevent both local and out-of-town investors from renting multiple properties other than where they live, but allows San Diegans who have an additional unit on the same property as their primary residence to get a license for a second vacation rental.
