If you’re looking to rent your home or to find lodging using Airbnb in Arlington County, prepare for some possible changes.
Arlington County has proposed 21 new regulations on Airbnb rentals and other home-sharing sites. On Saturday, the County Board will consider taking the first step to enact them.
Among the regulations are that those who rent their homes would need to apply for a two-year “homestay accessory permit,” and county inspectors would be authorized to inspect homes of anyone with a permit “at least once a year.”
The regulations also include a limit of six guests per stay, and homeowners would be unable to “prepare or serve food or beverages to any overnight guests."
County Board Chair Libby Garvey said the board recognizes positive aspects of home-sharing, citing that renting out one’s home can help pay the bills.
However, they also see negative.
“You have people very concerned about too many people coming in and changing the nature of the neighborhood,” Garvey said.
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The regulations are meant to strike a balance.
Garvey said the board hopes to find ways to protect the neighborhoods, but also “remove barriers for people who want to do this in a legal, safe and responsible manner.”
On Saturday, the Arlington County Board will consider a request to advertise new regulations. If approved, public meetings will be held on the regulations in November before final consideration in December.
In 2016, more than 600 Arlington residents rented their homes or apartments over Airbnb to some 27,000 visitors from all over the world, the company said.
Nearly 1,000 properties in Arlington were listed on Airbnb in September alone, according to the county.
Airbnb said in a statement that they hope to work with local governments to find “sensible regulations.”
