Letter to the editor: Proposed state bill ensures fair play for short-term rental operators

Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com. 

As resort owners, we welcome guests with open arms and, increasingly, with an open app. Like many in our position, we have listed our rooms on short-term rental (STR) platforms to stay competitive in a changing market. We pay transient occupancy taxes, hold the required permits, and comply with every local regulation. That’s why we strongly support Senate Bill 346.

SB 346 is about ensuring fairness; it’s not about limiting opportunity. The bill requires STR platforms to share basic data with local governments, allowing them to enforce the rules they have. It’s a smart, balanced way to bring illegal operators into compliance and protect legitimate hosts and small operators like me.

Too many listings bypass the rules entirely — no permits, no taxes and no oversight. These STR operators enjoy the benefits of the market without any of the responsibilities. That’s unfair and unsustainable. We’ve invested in safety systems, insurance, accessibility and community engagement — things every guest deserves and every jurisdiction expects. Watching others skip those steps while turning a profit on the same platforms is frustrating to say the least.

Some opponents claim SB 346 targets STRs, but as a small business that uses these platforms, we can say that’s not true. The bill doesn’t ban or burden legal operators. It simply gives cities the information they need to make sure local rules are followed — rules that protect neighborhoods, ensure fair taxation and uphold basic safety.

As resort operators who embrace traditional hospitality and modern tools like short-term rental platforms, we want to see the STR market thrive — but on even ground. We can’t have two sets of standards: one for licensed, tax-paying hosts and another for off-the-books rentals.

SB 346 is a smart step forward. It helps communities maintain local control, supports compliance without overreach and strengthens trust in a sector that’s become an essential part of California’s travel economy. We urge our legislators to pass it — for the sake of fairness, accountability and the future of hospitality in California.