The City Council Tuesday night took initial steps to curb "short-term rentals," formerly known as corporate rentals, which City officials say are eroding Santa Monica's rent-controlled housing.

The Council unanimously directed staff to draft an ordinance that could, among other things, restrict lessees to individuals and not corporations and require leases to be a minimum of 12 months.

The proposed law -- which would only apply to units in residential zones -- also could raise the fines and penalties for violators, impose a tax on units that are vacant and bar advertising of the units.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/December-2018/12_19_2018_Council_Takes_Steps_to_Curb_Medium_Term_Rentals.html