Saratoga, a wealthy Bay Area city with a median household income of $241,348, has enacted a complete ban on short-term rentals after residents complained about noise, trash, and parking issues. The ordinance, passed on Feb. 4, makes listing properties on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo a punishable crime with fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.

Mayor Chuck Page, who voted against the ban, expressed doubts about its effectiveness, noting that similar restrictions in neighboring Sausalito haven't stopped hosts from listing properties. The city plans to use a third-party agency to monitor listings and issue citations, but Page believes targeting specific behaviors like parking restrictions would be more effective than an outright ban.

Airbnb sent a letter to Page urging reconsideration, arguing the ordinance could harm small businesses and residents who rely on rental income. The company highlighted its existing safety measures, including a 24/7 neighborhood support line and a 2022 ban on unauthorized parties. With roughly five to 10 short-term rentals typically occupied at any time in the 30,000-person city, the effectiveness of this ban remains uncertain.