Visit Baltimore is keen to levy the 9.5 percent hotel tax on Airbnb rentals in the city, and now Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is on board as well, Baltimore Business Journal reports.
According to BBJ, not only is the mayor’s office figuring out the “mechanics of a plan” to implement the hotel tax. In order to deliver to Airbnbers the authentic experience of running a real bed n’ breakfast, the mayor is considering subjecting these off-the-radar rentals to things like various inspections and a permit process.
Airbnb is meeting similar roadblocks in other cities. In its native San Francisco, the company is waging a war against against Prop F, a ballot proposal which, among other things, would restrict Airbnb rentals to 75 nights per year. They’re also fighting New York City Council over fines and regulations they and their hosts face in that city.
