Overview
- The City Council’s Rules Committee voted 3–1 to advance Councilmember Sean Elo‑Rivera’s proposal for further work after a four-hour hearing with more than 100 speakers.
- The plan would charge $5,000 per bedroom annually on whole-home short‑term rentals and vacant second homes, with primary residences and long‑term rentals excluded.
- Elo‑Rivera’s office estimates the tax would affect about 2% of city homes and could raise roughly $100 million to $135 million each year to help stabilize city finances.
- Councilmember Raul Campillo cast the lone no vote, arguing the proposal lacks thorough analysis and warning of potential harm to tourism, small businesses and city revenues.
- Support came from labor and neighborhood advocates, while business groups and vacation‑rental operators opposed it; Council President Joe LaCava and Councilmember Kent Lee backed further study before any ballot decision.