The Beverly Hills Planning Commission is grappling with how to balance the demand for short-term rentals with concerns about their impact on housing affordability and neighborhood tranquility. During an August 8 study session, the group discussed imposing tighter regulations on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo to address residents' growing concerns.

Senior planner Chloe Chen highlighted that Short-term rentals can exacerbate housing affordability problems by reducing the number of units available for long-term tenants." She pointed out that the effect is even more pronounced in multifamily buildings, where the conversion of rental units to short-term use can shrink the pool of affordable housing options.

Residents voiced their frustrations, particularly over the disruption caused by short-term rentals. Kathy Bronte, who lives in a multifamily building, described the constant noise and foot traffic from guests staying in a unit above her. Despite an ongoing code enforcement case, the situation remains unresolved after 18 months, with the unit's tenants denying any involvement in short-term rentals.

The economic impact also raised concerns. Mark Elliot, another Beverly Hills resident, suggested implementing a ban on leases shorter than a year for multifamily, rent-controlled properties, citing similar measures in nearby West Hollywood. He argued that such a policy could help protect the city's housing market from being skewed by short-term rental practices.

Some residents and commissioners advocated for more stringent regulations. Maura O’Neill, representing the housing advocacy group Better Neighbors L.A., urged the city to adopt a comprehensive ban on short-term rentals across both multifamily and single-family homes. She presented data indicating that over 1,100 short-term rental listings were active in Beverly Hills, which she argued contributes to the region's broader housing and homelessness crises.

While most expressed support for increased regulation, opinions varied on the extent of restrictions. Commissioners Lou Milkowski and Myra Demeter favored a complete ban on short-term rentals. In contrast, Commissioner Gary Ross urged caution, suggesting that further analysis was needed to understand the full impact of short-term rentals before making a decision.

The Commission also deliberated broader trend in Southern California, where cities are increasingly scrutinizing the role of short-term rentals in housing affordability and quality of life. As the debate continues, the commission will need to identify how to balance economic interests with the pressing need to maintain a livable and affordable community for all residents.