A proposed new law in Monterey County, California, is stirring backlash from homeowners after officials moved to ban most short-term rentals in unincorporated residential areas. The measure would effectively block Airbnb- and Vrbo-style stays of fewer than 30 days in popular tourist regions such as Pebble Beach and Big Sur, marking a major shift in local housing policy.
County leaders say the move is aimed squarely at addressing an ongoing housing shortage and making it easier for local workers to find long-term places to live. Short-term rentals, they argue, have reduced housing availability and pushed prices out of reach for residents who live and work on the Monterey Peninsula.
For many hosts, however, the proposal came as a shock. Property owners say they have spent years working with the county, paying permitting fees, upgrading infrastructure like septic systems, and operating within existing rules—only to now face a potential blanket ban. Some fear the law could wipe out an important source of income with little warning.
Hosts are also warning of wider ripple effects. They argue that short-term rentals support local jobs, from cleaners and landscapers to maintenance workers, and that eliminating them could hurt the very community the county is trying to protect.
The proposed ban would not apply to incorporated cities such as Carmel or Monterey, which set their own short-term rental rules. Instead, it targets unincorporated areas under direct county control.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has instructed staff to formally draft the ordinance, which is expected to return for further debate in the coming months. As the proposal moves forward, tensions remain high between officials focused on housing access and homeowners who feel blindsided by a sudden and sweeping change.
At its core, the debate reflects a growing struggle seen across many tourist destinations: how to balance housing needs, local jobs, and a tourism-driven economy in places where space is limited and demand keeps rising.
