Year in Review: Manhattan Beach bans short-term rentals
Illustration by Keith Robinson As short-term rentals through websites such as AirBnB and VRBO have grown in popularity throughout the country, so has local government opposition. Some argue that the practice changes the character of cities, and some say it changes rents. Manhattan Beach added its name to the list of cities which have banned the practice, which includes its neighbor Santa Monica, in June. The issue came before the council after the city’s Planning Commission approved a zoning amendment in May that would have allowed homeowners to rent their houses four times a year for 30 days or less. Short-term rentals were already illegal under city code, according to City Attorney Quinn Barrow, with the exception of some rentals for the Charlie Saikley Six-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament. But the city’s finance office had mistakenly been issuing business permits to homeowners who rented their houses and paid a tax to the city. On June 2, the issue filled the council’s chamber with people who wanted to speak on the issue. “I am essentially living next door to a hotel right now,” said resident Heather Rezner, with “a revolving door of 20-plus people every few days.” Her…
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