Is Arlington About to Crack Down on Airbnb?

ARLINGTON, VA — If you like to rent your house or apartment out on short-term housing rental site Airbnb or Craigslist, be warned: Arlington is examining new regulations that might affect you.

Arlington is asking the public to weigh in on a short-term residential rental ordinance, with public hearings to be set at an Oct. 15 County Board meeting, according to a Sept. 27 statement from Arlington County.

Specifically, the ordinance would target sites like Airbnb, Craigslist and others were people list their homes as available for rent for a short period of time, which can range anywhere from a day to a few weeks usually.

“We have several goals for regulating short-term residential rentals,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in the statement. “We want to protect the character of Arlington’s neighborhoods, ensure public safety for our community, reduce barriers for those who already are or may want to use their homes as short-term rentals in a legal and responsible manner and provide a mechanism for enforcement.”

The statement notes that a total of 986 properties in Arlington were listed on Airbnb as of September. The Arlington County Zoning Office has received both complaints about these listings and questions on how to legally participate.

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation earlier this year that would prevent local governments from enforcing local zoning laws restricting these short-term rentals in residential areas, although the governor didn't sign the bill and instead referred it to the Virginia Housing Commission for further study, where it sits today.

“We do not know at this time, what the new legislation will include, and thus the impacts on local government ability to regulate short-term rentals,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said in remarks to the board, as noted in the statement. “We do know that there has been a demand from the community, including short term rental hosts, asking for rules on how to operate legally. By acting prior to the end of December 2016, the County can help inform the State’s ultimate decision.”

Image via Airbnb