Airbnb & VRBO Short-Term Rentals Have Some Boulder Residents Complaining
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - A crackdown may be coming for people who rent out their homes on popular websites Airbnb and VRBO.
The Boulder City Council on Tuesday evening was considering two ordinances limiting who can rent out their places on the sites. It was the first public hearing on the issue.
It all started back in December when the city got surge in complaints about short-term rentals. They responded by sending approximately two dozen cease-and-desist letters to those property owners. The city council now has opened up the issue to the public to decide on regulations, and if they want short-term rentals to continue at all.
"Boulder is a beautiful community and we want to keep it that way," Boulder resident Rob Gordon said.
Gordon and his family have called Boulder home for 30 years, and lately they say they have been noticing a new trend among their neighbors -- short-term renters who they say are noisy, increase traffic and bring down the quality of their neighborhood.
"It seems to be building to a crest," Gordon said. "We had to call the police one time."
They complained to the City of Boulder along with many others.
"Technically these rental properties are not allowed under our code," Sarah Huntley with the City of Boulder said.
Huntley says it's a growing issue that the city council is planning on tackling. The first possible ordinance allows anyone to short-term rent as long as they also live in that residence. The second allows the status quo but puts a cap on the number allowed.
"A certain percentage of residences on a particular block could be eligible for short-term," Huntley said.
The city adds that short-term rentals serve a valued purpose in supplying housing for tourists and income for homeowners.
"We are trying to figure out what the best mix is, if there is a mix to be had at all," Huntley said.
Many Boulder residents say the services are great for visitors and residents alike.
"It has advantages and it's useful for people, so it ought to be permitted within a reasonable zone," a Boulder resident told CBS4.
Others like Gordon just want local regulation where currently there is none.
"Put in some rules so we can all live by them and we all know that we are all on the same page," Gordon said.
The public meeting was an opening to talk about the issue and the city council could have a vote by the end of the summer.