Pittsburgh councilman proposes tougher regulations on short-term rentals following shooting

The mass shooting at an Airbnb rental on Pittsburgh's North Side came just days after other shootings at Airbnbs in Texas and California.Now, a Pittsburgh city council member is proposing tougher regulations on short-term rentals.Last week outside Houston, a doorbell camera caught teens running from an Airbnb rental where shots were fired during a party.Ten days ago, a teen was killed at an Airbnb rental near Sacramento following a party.Early Sunday, two Pittsburgh teens were shot to death during a party at a North Side Airbnb."Anyone can easily Google Airbnb parties that have gotten out of hand like this," said Pittsburgh Councilman Bobby Wilson, whose district includes the North Side.He is proposing licenses and other regulations for short-term rentals, including Airbnb."Airbnb is a faceless company. You know, you can go on and order an Airbnb just like you can a hoagie," Wilson said.An Airbnb spokesperson said the company strongly supports and stands ready to work with Wilson and the City of Pittsburgh to develop short-term rental regulations. An Airbnb spokesman also said the company already has strict rules banning their guests from holding parties.In recent years, the company said it has sued renters in Cincinnati and Sacramento when shootings occurred at house parties.Pittsburgh is getting ready to launch license and inspection requirements for long-term rentals. But Wilson said that is not enough."Obviously, we need much more regulation around short-term rentals," he said.Wilson plans to introduce his legislation at Tuesday's council meeting.