City of Atlanta cracking down on Airbnb, short term rentals

ATLANTA — Greater than 4,000 Airbnb and short-term leases might quickly disappear from Atlanta, due to a brand new ordinance cracking down on who’s capable of hire out their dwelling. 

This week, metropolis council prolonged the compliance deadline from June 1 to Sept. 6. as debate over and complaints concerning the new guidelines are hashed out.

Below the ordinance, folks can solely personal two Airbnb or quick time period rental items, and one should be their major residence.

You should be a resident of Atlanta, pay $150 yearly for a allow, and pay an 8% tax rental charge.

The ordinance additionally cracks down on noise and get together violations, growing penalties to a number of thousand {dollars}.

Kathie McClure hosts two quick time period leases in the identical Midtown duplex. However as a result of she does not reside there full time, she’d be in violation of the brand new guidelines.

“We reside close by, [the duplex] will not be our major residence,” she mentioned. “I’m a superb instance of how excessive among the interpretations are that the town has adopted.” 

There are at present an estimated 7,465 Airbnb and Vrbo properties in Atlanta.

An Airbnb spokesperson instructed 11Alive that hosts in Atlanta collectively earned almost $139 million in 2021, with internet hosting serving as a supply of earnings for greater than 9,500 hosts throughout the metropolitan space.

A reported 54% of quick time period rental homeowners in Atlanta have greater than two listings, placing them in violation below the brand new guidelines.

“That is how I make a dwelling and assist my household,” mentioned Wealthy Monroe, president of the newly fashioned Atlanta Metro Quick Time period Rental Alliance (AMSTRA). “The truth is it may be a variety of jobs at stake. The native financial system goes to be impacted.”

Supporters of the ordinance say it would assist tackle unruly events and noise violations, and make extra properties out there for residents who want a spot to reside.

In Atlanta there was a 37% lower in out there long run rental housing properties since 2019, in accordance with an evaluation of US Census Bureau knowledge. 

Solely 4.9% of flats or leases within the metropolis are at present out there.

McClure says she and different hosts are grateful metropolis council prolonged the enforcement deadline, amid complaints that the allow utility course of was tedious and complicated.

“The danger that the town is taking with the overly sophisticated course of is that they are going to have numerous so-called unlawful items,” she mentioned. “Town is setting itself up for failure.”

Between now and the September deadline, Monroe says AMSTRA hopes to work with metropolis council to barter the ordinance phrases.

“The center floor for us would mainly permit a variety of our members which can be at present working quick time period leases to have the ability to proceed to take action by having sort of a legacy possibility,” he mentioned.

In a press release, Metropolis Planning Commissioner Janide Sidifall instructed 11Alive:

“In response to residents’ requests and issues, the Division of Metropolis Planning administratively prolonged the enforcement of the Quick-term Rental ordinance to September 6, 2022. We need to be aware of our residents as we heard issues from some STR homeowners on the licensing course of. Moreover, with the fast progress of the short-term rental trade within the metropolis, we additionally need to be accountable and protecting to all communities and neighborhoods as detailed in Atlanta Metropolis Design. We need to assist facilitate a considerate, but worthwhile Quick-term Rental trade within the metropolis of Atlanta.”