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illy-chan t1_jeelxp2 wrote

Reply to comment by Trafficsigntruther in Airbnb is alerting hosts about subpoenas from the City of Philadelphia by Meatfrom1stgrade

Sounds like she wouldn't need the variance since she lives on site. Just a permit. Which she could have applied for at any point between 2015 and when the city finally announced they were going to enforce the law.

Also, anyone who says “Maybe I’ll just sell [the triplex] and move to Florida, where I can do business without the government being insane,” sounds like a nut to me.

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666Pack t1_jeemiyz wrote

From the article:

>To operate Airbnb rentals outside of a primary residence — whether in the second unit of a duplex or in a house across town — would require a hotel license.

I'm assuming the hotel license is the variance that people are referring to?

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illy-chan t1_jeencgv wrote

Thanks for the catch. Edited my comment.

I'm still not especially sympathetic that she didn't even try to apply until the 11th hour. January had already been an extension of the deadline. It's not like the law was signed in December.

It's not unreasonable for the city to ask a business to have permits to use private housing like that.

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Zhuul t1_jeepwgi wrote

Seriously. Both times I’ve rented one In Wildwood they had a certificate hanging up saying they’re a licensed business and the person running it was SUPER professional. People like this Romero character are what’s wrong with the rental market.

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666Pack t1_jeeo1zj wrote

Agreed. I have noticed her name in previous articles, as others have, and she seems like a knucklehead.

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uptimefordays t1_jeetxlv wrote

> To operate Airbnb rentals outside of a primary residence — whether in the second unit of a duplex or in a house across town — would require a hotel license.

Honestly, not unreasonable. People living in what are supposed to be apartments, condos, coops, etc. have a right to not live in a hotel.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jeevvbj wrote

Ironically, those are the properties that can get a hotel license under the city’s regulations.

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uptimefordays t1_jeewalr wrote

I'd imagine it depends on the HOA but am by no means an expert! It's just my opinion that people living in what are supposed to be residential dwellings have some reasonable expectation that whatever kind of structure they live in isn't a hotel.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jefbt89 wrote

Yes, the HOA might have their own restrictions, but they are the type of zoning (RMX2 and 3) that the city allows visitor accommodations by right.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jeeuys9 wrote

To get a hotel license the property needs to be zoned for limited lodging visitor accommodation. It requires a variance for most properties in the city.

Basically needs to be RMX-2 or 3 or CMX-3 or CMX-4 for by right zoning use.

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MxEmDarcy t1_jegiywp wrote

This is correct. I am having some confusion around this as originally I lived in the unit, but I bought a new home after and got a rental licence for my unit, however EVEN after I asked, I was not told new zoning was needed. I had a limited lodging licence, then switched to a rental but the zoning wasn't changed as it wasn't mentioned when I asked L&I what was it they needed 🤦🏻‍♀️

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