Tiburon residents debate short-term rental ban

TIBURON, Calif. (KTVU) -- The debate over short-term rentals heated up outside San Francisco Wednesday as the Tiburon Town Council met to decide whether or not to implement a ban of any rentals of less than 30 days.

Tiburon is one of the most scenic and exclusive communities in America, offering stunning views from pricey homes and peace and quiet.

A man named David, who didn't give his last name, told KTVU he brought his family from Los Angeles to rent a condo through a vacation website.

"We get it for a week. We decided it was quieter and a nice view of San Francisco and stuff," he said.

But apparently some Air-BnB and other short-term guests have been getting carried away in this upscale sanctuary.

"People coming in for short periods of time don't know how to behave, where to park their cars, don't know where to put the trash. They don't know about our rules and regulations," Tiburon Town Manager Peggy Curran told KTVU.

Instead of trying to regulate short term rentals, the town council is considering an ordinance that would ban them.

No one could rent a room or home in Tiburon for less than 30 days.

"To have lots of rules and regulations about how it's done and that creates a really difficult enforcement situation," said Curran. "The council felt the best thing they could do to protect neighborhoods was not allow it."

The proposed ban has split the community.

Mo Newman was one of the Tiburon residents who appeared at Town Hall to speak out against the ban.

"I'm concerned with how much the government is intruding into our own personal lives and telling us what we can do with our own personal property," said Newman.

Russ Shelton told the council he supports keeping short term vacation rentals off the market and the people who rent them out.

"They're not part of our community and it changes the complexion and you end up having basically a town of two cultures," said Shelton. "You've got the people who live here and the people who come here to party."

Tourism is a significant business in Tiburon, with hotels and shops catering to visitors.

But David from Los Angeles said if he can't find a short term rental on line, he'll likely go somewhere else to spend his money.

When asked if he'll return to Tiburon with such a ban in place, he told KTVU, "If that were to happen, probably not."

In the end, the town council decided to set up a committee to study the issue further, and hold off on a ban for now.