Airbnb announced a big haul in Massachusetts last year, with local hosts pulling in hundreds of millions of dollars through the short-term rental company – though the suburb is following Boston’s lead in regulating the expanding market. .
Quincy, Milton, Brookline, Revere and Everett are each considering regulations on short-term rentals, which would almost complete a ring around Boston of all the suburbs near the city by imposing similar restrictions on Airbnb-style rentals.
Brookline is expected to have restrictions on the town meeting agenda this spring. Everett will table the bylaws for next week’s council meeting. Revere and Quincy both plan to introduce Boston-style Airbnb orders in the coming months, officials say, and Milton is also considering new restrictions, according to published reports.
They would join Somerville, Cambridge and Newton, all of which already have regulations in place. All are generally similar to the Boston Ordinance, which limits listings to owner-occupied units or apartments on the same property. These rules went into effect in September, and Airbnb began requiring city-issued registration numbers for all listings from December, leading to a sharp reduction in listings from 5,500 at the start of the month to around 3. 700.
“We have certainly seen a slight increase,” said Christopher Walker, chief of staff to Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, on the number of registrations at Quincy recently.
Everett Deputy City Attorney Keith Slattery said Everett is filing an order for Monday’s meeting that will allow Airbnbs in non-residential properties in business districts, but not in more residential areas. from the city.
On Wednesday, Airbnb touted “the positive impact of our short-term rental community across Bay State” in terms of revenue, taxes and tourism activity.
“As we dive into this new year, we hope to continue to demonstrate to authorities statewide the significant value of short-term rentals, as we work together to implement new regulations and educate our hosts about their roles. and responsibilities, ”said Kelley Gossett, public policy manager for Airbnb in Massachusetts.
Airbnb on Wednesday announced 1.3 million stays in Massachusetts in 2019, totaling $ 284.4 million, including $ 100.9 million in Suffolk County, $ 54.9 million in Middlesex County and 15 , $ 5 million in Norfolk County.
The short-term rental company, which allows people to rent out their properties to visitors, noted that it had $ 93.3 million in business in Bay State over its five weekends. busiest ends, which took place from late July to mid-August.
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