Judge says no to temporary halt on Hermosa Beach short-term rentals ban

In a temporary win for Hermosa Beach, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has refused to stop the city from enforcing its ban on short-term housing rentals.

Judge James Chalfant on Thursday declined to issue a temporary injunction ordering the city to halt enforcement of its law restricting the rentals of properties listed on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO. Two lawsuits are pending over the ban.

Jim Holtz, who lives in San Pedro and relies on short term rentals to supplement his income, is suing the city for his right to rent. Despite the ban, rentals have persisted. Currently, 14 rooms are listed on Airbnb to rent for this weekend. The fine for the first violation is $2,500.

In a statement, Hermosa Beach Mayor Hany Fangary said the problem is “these websites have made it easy and profitable for property owners, especially absentee owners like Mr. Holtz, to rent their properties to a successive parade of vacationers. We heard loud and clear from our residents that it frustrates the sense of community to have residential properties rented out as short-term vacation rentals, with different vacationers occupying the property every few days.”

Trial for Holtz is scheduled for March 2017, said Katie Casey, a representative for the city.