Auburn Considering Legalizing Airbnb, Similar Home-Sharing Services
AUBURN (CBS13) — Auburn is considering making home-sharing services such as Airbnb legal, which would be a first-of-its kind measure in the region.
Homeowner Gary Ransom used to rent his 20-foot yurt to vacationers through Airbnb.
"You meet so many interesting people," he said. "Typically, people who would not stay in a hotel, are looking for something interesting."
But the city has told him to stop renting, because the yurt isn't considered habitable.
The yurt, like the rooms being advertised in the Auburn area, are technically being offered illegally, says City Manager Tim Rundel.
"You have to come before the city to get a business license and there's nothing within our ordinance right now that type of rental business," he said.
The city is now considering an ordinance to make the services legal. Homeowners would need to apply for a licensing fee, create rules for parking and noise, and notify neighbors.
"Everybody knows what the parameters are, if you want to put one of these in your home you want to have an airbnb, you have to notify your neighbors, those types. you have to be a good neighbor," he said.
The idea came from Joanne Neft, who has traveled the world, staying in people's homes.
"Some place that I can connect with the people who actually live there and work there," she said.
A couple of Auburn homeowners have spoken out against the ordinance, saying they don't want their neighborhood turned into a rental community.
"The reality is several businesses within your neighborhood probably already have some sort of home-based business there," Rundel said.
Supporters say legalizing short-term rentals may also keep more business in Auburn on busy weekends when events overflow the few hotels and motels in the city.
"They'd go someplace else and stay, whereas, we would like them obviously to stay here in Auburn. And I'm pretty proud of my town," Random said.
The ordinance hasn't been finalized yet, as modifications are being made to spell out parking regulations and how many rooms can be rented.
