Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website.
With a variety of dining options, landmarks and beaches, San Diego has become one of the nation’s top tourism destinations. But new regulations have been imposed or are being discussed for San Diego County that could reshape the region’s tourism industry.
Since April 2015, the San Diego City Council has discussed tightening restrictions on private homeowners renting out their residences as vacation lodgings. Credit the “shared economy effect,” there has been a proliferation of people renting out entire homes or single bedrooms for short-term stays.
The council has debated preventing homeowners from renting out their property to guests staying fewer than 21 days. The issue isn’t confined to the city of San Diego either, as Solana Beach just enacted regulations on short-term rentals fewer than 7 days in length and Coronado bans home rental stays of fewer than 26 days.
The concern behind these new laws is that the online sites don’t properly screen property owners for guest safety and that these properties have an unfair advantage against licensed establishments (like hotels or bed and breakfasts). Several permanent residents are also worried about a growing chasm between themselves and the vacationers in their communities.
Many cities in California have already enacted laws affecting the short-term rental industry. San Francisco became one of the first when it prohibited some types of rentals that lasted fewer than 30 days. But San Francisco’s response was based on rising rent costs and the area’s housing shortage crisis.
San Diego is in a completely different situation due to the impact these restrictions may have on the tourism industry. By eliminating short-term housing, these areas have reduced the number of lodging options for tourists, which can raise the average price for a room. More choices for vacationers can often lead to a cheaper stay.
Carlsbad had tourism in mind last year when it limited short-term rentals to only the areas within the city’s coastal zone.
The local cities looking to regulate this industry have applied varying rules and restrictions depending on each area’s needs and worries. In the case of Carlsbad, these laws change from block-to-block.
Because there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, staying up-to-date on the constantly-evolving laws in every city can take all the fun out of a San Diego vacation. That’s why it’s important to rely on a respected voice within the hospitality industry.
Instead of having to trust some guy online with a spare room for rent, add confidence to your next vacation by booking through one of the premier leaders in short-term furnished apartments – Synergy Global Housing.
Synergy has the tools and resources needed to stay current on the laws and rules – not just in San Diego, but globally. We’ve built our reputation as an industry leader by making our guests’ needs our top priority. Whether it’s interior design, green living or politics, Synergy is committed to staying informed about any issue that may affect our clients’ travels.
Synergy will also know how many days a stay needs to last in each neighborhood to avoid these restrictions. Working with a knowledgeable sales representative will help ensure your next trip to San Diego is the right amount of time, with just the right amount of fun.
Make your plans early, and make them with a respected industry professional to ensure what you want from your next visit to San Diego is exactly what you get. Contact Synergy at (858) 242-5900 or SDReservations@SynergyHousing.com to schedule an appointment with one of our market experts.