Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine will propose a joint ordinance today that would prohibit all commercial activities in the residential areas of both cities. Regalado says the ordinance will call for more aggressive regulation enforcement regarding of single-family homes in residential zones.
The proposed ordinance was first confirmed Monday during a Miami City Hall joint press conference. Thursday morning, the mayors will bring forth the ordinance. WIOD was live at Miami City Hall as many local AirBNB hosts and supporters protested the proposal of the cities to restrict the travel-stay service. So many supporters came out for the cause that City Hall was filled to capacity and crowds spilled out beyond commission chambers.
Local hosts and supporters argue that AirBNB provides tourists with a more intimate, affordable way to visit, stay, and experience Miami. WIOD spoke to supporters who also noted that they are "completely willing to work with city officials" to determine proper tax rates in order to continue hosting.
At the press conference Monday, both Regalado and Levine argued that there are many legal zones in both cities where the service may still operate, but the ban for residential areas is being proposed in order to keep the neighborhoods and residents safe, comfortable, and happy.
The Miami Herald reported Wednesday, though, that the travel company wonders whether Regaldo's ban-determination has any relation to the "...thousands of dollars [that the] hotel lobby has donated to the mayor's 2013 campaign account and an electioneering account he shares with his daughter."
AirBNB policy director Tom Martinelli sent a letter to the two mayors Monday, questioning whether the "nearly $75,000 in campaign contributions [Regalado has] accepted from the national and local hotel lobby since 2013 has motivated your anti-home-sharing stance?".
AirBNB recently reached a tax agreement with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez that will also need to be approved by commissioners. Yet, the home-sharing service is still unwelcome in Miami and Miami Beach.
The Miami City Commission will hear the measure today. Regalado has also noted that he intends to approach homeowners in Miami's downtown condo building in hopes of creating and expanding similar restrictions.