The new rules are an attempt to get a handle on the short-term rental industry, which, due in part to little enforcement of existing regulations, has yielded ‘bad actors.’
Philadelphia is set to begin enforcing new short-term rental (STR) regulations in January, prompting concerns from operators who depend on STR income. Jake Blumgart reports on the story for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The new law requires a ‘limited lodging operator’ license for short-term rental hosts who live in the unit. The paperwork is inexpensive, but it means that hosts have to comply with a variety of other requirements, such as obtaining lead paint certifications and ensuring their properties are up to code.” Owners who don’t live on the rental property must obtain a hotel license, a law that already existed but was loosely enforced.
Although STR owners complain they were given a short timeline to comply with the new rules, the bill passed in 2021 and was scheduled to go into effect in April 2022, then delayed until 2023. In part due to delays at the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA), “So far only 247 people have received a ‘Limited Lodging Operators License,’ and 164 have received a hotel permit, out of an Airbnb host count in the thousands.” According to Theron Lewis, founder of the lobbying group Philadelphia STR Association, “People are trying to apply for a variance, but [the ZBA is] not able to see anybody until February or later.”
Read the full story: On Jan. 1, Philly will start enforcing new rules for Airbnb and other short-term rentals
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