The D.C. Council gave unanimous preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill Tuesday that would ban people from renting out their second home on websites like AirBnb.
The bill would ban people from listing a second apartment or building as a short-term rental.
According to the Washington Post, homeowners would only be allowed to rent out their entire primary living space for up to 90 days in a year. Under the bill, there would be no restriction on short-term rentals, as long as the homeowner is present during the time of the rental.
The bill also requires homeowners to have a business license for renting out their homes.
The bill requires a second vote, which will be in either mid-October or mid-November. Council members must resolve how to deal with the cost of the new law, which the D.C. chief financial officer estimates at $20 million per year. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson called that estimate inflated.
If approved, the law would be a victory for neighborhood associations that argue short-term rentals are reducing the availability of affordable housing. Opponents say the bill would harm residents who rely on the income they get from renting out their properties.
Last year, D.C. families earned nearly $84 million renting out their homes and spare rooms through Airbnb, a report released by the company earlier this year said.
D.C. Mayor Bowser has not said if she supports the bill in its current form.
