Airbnb Ready to Make Concessions to the City of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco and Airbnb may move their dispute from the courtroom to the negotiating table, as the company indicates willingness to find a "win-win" with the city.

1 minute read

November 16, 2016, 12:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


San Francisco

Lerner Vadim / Shutterstock

With the possibility of a 60-day hard cap looming over them and the judge in their case against the city  indicating he's not likely to grant them the injunction they’re seeking against the city’s current law, AirBNB is looking to return to the negotiating table.

According to reporting by Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle, Airbnb plans to cooperate. Airbnb’s global policy chief, Chris Lehane, told her, “We can sit across the table from the city and address the issues in a win-win scenario.”

Members of the city government said they were "encouraged" by Airbnb's willingness to reopen the matter but were quick to point out that they don’t intend to make concessions. One point of contention has been Airbnb and its partners’ failure to comply with existing laws, "Host registration is a flashpoint in San Francisco. Only about 1,700 out of an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 hosts have registered, undermining the city’s ability to enforce its 21-month-old law." By not registering, hosts avoid the oversight of the city, which, for example, prohibits renters for renting properties other than their own homes.

With the help of the company, the city may be able to make its registration process integrate more smoothly with the Airbnb website. This type of integration already exists in the city of Chicago, where Airbnb is also facing new regulations.

Monday, November 14, 2016 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

1 hour ago - The New York Times

People with bikes ordering at food trucks outdoors.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences

Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

3 hours ago - City of Raleigh

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

May 19 - Next City

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.