Airbnb Accused of Paying Protesters to Attend San Diego Council Hearing

City councilmember and affordable housing group claim tech company orchestrated opposition to short-term rental tax proposal.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:23pm

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A San Diego city councilmember and the president of an affordable housing federation have accused Airbnb of paying protesters to attend a recent city council committee meeting and oppose a proposed tax on short-term vacation rentals. The councilmember said he witnessed people admitting they were paid to be there, while the housing group president overheard a protester say the $80 stipend 'was not worth' attending. Airbnb did not directly address the accusation but defended its opposition to the 'egregious' tax proposal.

Why it matters

The allegations highlight Airbnb's history of aggressively opposing short-term rental regulations in California, often by mobilizing a 'guerrilla' network of paid hosts and community organizers. This latest incident in San Diego raises questions about the company's tactics and the integrity of the public policy process around the booming short-term rental industry.

The details

At a San Diego City Council hearing on January 28, the Rules Committee voted 3-2 against putting a ballot measure on the November election that would have imposed an $8,000 annual tax on short-term vacation rentals and second homes. Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said he witnessed 'paid protesters' linked to Airbnb in attendance, with some admitting they were paid to be there. The president of the San Diego Housing Federation also said he overheard a protester say the $80 stipend 'was not worth' attending. Airbnb's senior public policy manager defended the company's opposition to the 'egregious' tax proposal but did not address the specific accusation of paying protesters.

  • The San Diego City Council hearing took place on January 28, 2026.
  • The Rules Committee voted 3-2 against putting the short-term rental tax measure on the November 2026 ballot.

The players

Sean Elo-Rivera

A San Diego city councilmember who proposed the short-term rental tax and accused Airbnb of paying protesters to attend the hearing.

Stephen Russell

The president of the San Diego Housing Federation, who said he overheard a protester admit to being paid to attend the hearing.

Justin Wesson

Airbnb's senior public policy manager, who defended the company's opposition to the 'egregious' tax proposal.

Amada Valle

A protester at the hearing who told a reporter she was paid a stipend to attend and was recruited by the LA-based group Urbano Strategies.

Urbano Strategies

An LA-based group that reportedly recruited people, including Amada Valle, for a 'paid civic engagement opportunity' at the San Diego hearing.

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What they’re saying

“The people themselves admitted it. People from the San Diego community spoke to those folks and verified it.”

— Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember (SFGATE)

“I heard her mutter to a woman, 'This was not worth 80 bucks to be here today.'”

— Stephen Russell, President, San Diego Housing Federation (SFGATE)

“It was clear to anyone watching last week's hearing that the opposition to this tax came squarely from the San Diegans impacted.”

— Justin Wesson, Senior Public Policy Manager, Airbnb (SFGATE)

What’s next

The San Diego City Council will likely continue to debate and consider regulations on short-term vacation rentals in the coming months.

The takeaway

This incident highlights Airbnb's aggressive tactics to oppose short-term rental regulations, including allegations of orchestrating paid protests, which raises concerns about the integrity of the public policy process around the booming vacation rental industry.