Neighbors Object To Worcester Woman Renting Out Home On Airbnb
WORCESTER (CBS) – Residents on Zenith Drive in Worcester wondered why suddenly there were so many cars parked in their neighbor's driveway. They also didn't know who all these strangers were that began to appear on their street.
Then they found out their neighbor, Solange Silva, has been renting out rooms in her house to people from all over the world. Silva had put her house up on the popular house sharing site, Airbnb.
The problem the neighbors have is that they live in a residential area, not a commercial zone. They say Silva is running a hotel on their street.
One neighbor said she heard a knock on her door late one night and a tourist said "I'm from France, I have a reservation at your house."
Tuesday night, 20 neighbors went to the Worcester City Council to complain. At least one councilor agrees with them.
City Councilor Gary Rosen told WBZ-TV that Silva is violating Worcester zoning bylaws. He said these types of "motels" should be in commercial zones only.
This is unchartered territory for the city council. They have not had to regulate any homes offering Airbnb.
Last night council members asked the City Manager to prohibit homeowners in residential-zoned areas from being able to rent rooms to guests for short or long-term overnight lodging.