What We Stand For
Balanced Solutions
We believe in well-thought, forward-thinking regulations that:
Balance the rights of neighbors to peacefully enjoy their residences with the rights of hosts to rent their properties in a responsible manner
Empower responsible hosts to embrace the spirit of the Steel City and bring value to our local economy, while preventing bad actors - both guests & hosts
Are driven by facts & data, rather than anecdotes and hyperbole
Work together with the local short-term rental community and its stakeholders
Develop an effective framework that fosters a better hosting & tourist community
Collaboration
We believe that our unique, “Yinzer” spirit should be shared with everyone, not just our guests. We work to foster deep partnerships with our entire community, from neighbors, to local businesses and workers, to STR operators, to our city administration. For Pittsburgh to create a successful, sustainable future, we must all work together to solve the issues within our communities
Learning & Understanding
We strongly believe that everyone should be continually learning. We help our members stay up to date with the latest industry news & best practices, and empower each other to exemplify the standards of responsible hosting - including what it means to be a good neighbor.
We also work to bring facts, data, local voices, and other resources to our conversations in our communities.
In existence since 2017, a group of then 150+ local STR hosts came out in full support of Airbnb / VRBO collecting and remitting the county / state combined 14% hotel occupancy tax.
In 2017, four Airbnb hosts were invited to join a steering committee to assist in the creation of legislation to regulate short term (under 30 night) rentals. Other members of the group included Deb Gross (chair), then-City Council member Dan Gilmore, Rick Gastil of the BLI, and representatives of the Mayor's office.
Through their efforts, legislation was drafted (later tabled due to the Rental Registration legislation + following lawsuits) whereby all Airbnb hosts who accepted short term rentals would complete an online property registration form. The form would require each host to provide information about the property, emergency contact information for the property owner, and address of property. Hosts would agree to follow existing applicable building, safety, and fire codes to better ensure that hosts would provide a safe place for guests to stay, as well as holding them responsible for knowing and adopting relevant code. Airbnb hosts would remit an annual registration fee. to the city for each building offered as an Airbnb short term rental.