Makes sense, density and mother-in-law units were zoned and approved to provide housing not to be backdrops in a live action monopoly game. On the other hand, it does seem backwards to rewrite the municipal code because a condo association has lost control of its building.

According to the fiscal note, we are going to be pulling $4.69 out of the general fund in 2018 to get this up and running. Then there is another $600,000 payment, and annual operating costs of $490,000.

As far as I can tell, we will spend about $6.6 million before we see a dime of revenue from this program. And, it will be years before we actually break even and start seeing any positive gains.

The last revenue forecasts I saw assumed a very high rate of compliance and minimal enforcement expenditures. Good luck with that.

The right call - having unlimited Airbnb units in such a large area did nothing for quality of life or rent cost. Those who built their business on this have had ample time to adapt - almost every other city has applied a similar limit so it can be no surprise !

What happened to open comments?

Why didn't they regulate this better a long time ago? Same with ride sharing, Just a way to make money by skirting the rules. We owe these greedy business people no consideration at all.

@6, previously they didn't skirt the rules because there were no rules. Now there are. Basically, in business you can do whatever is not against the law.

can't the owners just incorporate each individual apartment and then have another corporation lease them out. It seems and reads like the law can be easily subverted through incorporation. Or other business LLC. Headquartered in Wyoming or Off Shore.

How is this even remotely legal?

@7:

How so?

Low hanging fruit

Hotel rates this summer soared, both downtown and on the east-side. I see this as good for renters and hotels, but it could put a dent in tourism if hotel rates remain high.

Seattle City Council Says: Businesses and paying residents go f*** yourselves. Junkie drifters and violent "community members" welcome!

I guess we only worry about workplace harassment here, not the ACTUAL AGGRESSIVE hobo harassment endured by commuters on a daily basis.

Good. A condo owner in a "secure" building started renting out their unit by the night, with strangers coming and going at all hours and keys going missing. It was very upsetting to the homeowners to have to deal with. The "unregulated" businesses that are all the fad right now (uber, et al.) will have to shape up and play by the rules or get out. There is a reason for licensing and rules: to protect the greater good. Thanks, City C.!