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Beverly Hills, California – One of the country’s most recognizable ZIP codes is on the brink of banning short-term rentals outright, signaling a broader shift in how affluent communities manage the tension between tourism, housing, and neighborhood character.
On July 1, the Beverly Hills City Council voted 4-1 to prepare regulatory language that would prohibit Airbnb- and Vrbo-style rentals across the city, including in both single-family and multifamily residences. The proposed ordinance would require a minimum lease length of 12 consecutive months for single-family homes and six months within a 12-month period for multifamily units. A final vote is expected after the ordinance is drafted and returned to council.
The decision marks a definitive turn for Beverly Hills, which has long struggled to strike a balance between maintaining its exclusive residential atmosphere and allowing homeowners flexibility to earn extra income. Previous city rules prohibited apartment rentals shorter than 30 days and limited short-term rentals in single-family homes to six-month minimums — though those rules were temporarily suspended in early 2024 following wildfires that displaced many Los Angeles-area residents.
Councilmember Craig Corman, who spoke in favor of the ban at the July 1 meeting, acknowledged that the city had once been willing to experiment with limited short-term stays. “We thought if people had a chance to rent their homes out twice a year, that would sufficiently guard against abuse,” Corman said. “Obviously, we were wrong. And we’ve seen a proliferation of party houses.”
Beyond the disturbances caused by noisy gatherings, Corman also pointed to falling tax revenues and the potential erosion of the local hospitality industry. “I think this is a problem that’s festered for a while,” he said. “And I think this ordinance does deal with it by eliminating the short-term rentals in the city. And I think that’s a good thing.”
The vote reflects mounting pressure in cities across California to address the ways short-term rentals affect housing availability, public safety, and neighborhood cohesion. While party houses are perhaps the most visible concern — especially in hillside neighborhoods like Hollywood Hills — cities are increasingly taking a longer view, considering the economic ripple effects of having a transient housing stock.
In a statement, Airbnb pushed back against the move, emphasizing that the vast majority of hosts are responsible and rely on hosting as a way to keep up with rising costs. “Hosting on Airbnb is an economic lifeline for many residents across the country, including in Beverly Hills,” the company said. “Issues are extremely rare — with just 0.07% of reservations on Airbnb in California resulting in an allegation of a party last year.”
Vice Mayor John Mirisch cast the lone vote against the measure, but the city is expected to move forward with the ban, pending final legal review.
