Saratoga Enacts Strict Airbnb Ban, but Mayor Doubts Its Effectiveness

The wealthy Bay Area city hopes to curb issues with short-term rentals, but its mayor questions whether the new ordinance will actually stop the behavior residents dislike.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The city of Saratoga, California, has enacted a complete ban on short-term rentals like Airbnb after receiving numerous complaints from residents about issues like noise, trash, and traffic. However, Saratoga's mayor, Chuck Page, is doubtful the ban will be effective in stopping people from listing their homes on rental platforms, as he believes the real problems stem from a small number of "bad actors" rather than all short-term rentals. Page had proposed a more targeted approach, but the city council voted 4-1 to adopt the full ban instead.

Why it matters

Saratoga's ban on short-term rentals reflects a growing trend in wealthy Bay Area communities seeking to address the perceived downsides of platforms like Airbnb, such as disruptions to residential neighborhoods. The mayor's skepticism about the ban's effectiveness highlights the challenges cities face in striking the right balance between regulating short-term rentals and allowing homeowners to supplement their incomes.

The details

Saratoga's new ordinance makes listing and promoting short-term rentals a punishable crime, with fines ranging from $1,500 for the first offense up to $5,000 for subsequent violations. The city plans to use a third-party agency to monitor listings and notify officials of any violators. However, Mayor Page believes the ban doesn't address the specific behaviors that residents have complained about, such as noise, trash, and excessive cars on the streets. He had proposed targeting those issues directly, such as by restricting non-resident parking, but the city council rejected that approach.

  • The Saratoga City Council adopted the short-term rental ban on February 4, 2026.
  • Mayor Page voted against the ban at a subsequent meeting with the planning commission.

The players

Saratoga City Council

The governing body of the city of Saratoga, California, which voted 4-1 to enact the ban on short-term rentals.

Chuck Page

The mayor of Saratoga, who is doubtful the ban will be effective in stopping the behavior that residents have complained about, such as noise, trash, and excessive cars on the streets.

Airbnb

The short-term rental platform that sent a letter to Mayor Page asking him to reconsider the ban and work toward a compromise, emphasizing the company's commitment to "fair, reasonable rules" and the "unintended impacts of caps on short-term rentals."

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What they’re saying

“I'm concerned because it doesn't stop any of the behavior residents are complaining about. I'd much rather work together with people to help make things better from the beginning than slam a stick down.”

— Chuck Page, Mayor of Saratoga (SFGATE)

“We recognize the need for a municipality to regulate activities within its borders and believe that short-term rentals should benefit the communities in which they operate. However, we believe that the current version of the ordinance you are considering would be difficult or impossible for hosts in Saratoga to comply with, could have a negative impact on your small business community, and impose financial hardships on your residents who rely on additional income from sharing their home.”

— Alex Lleras, Airbnb Policy Associate (SFGATE)

What’s next

Mayor Page said he hasn't contacted Airbnb since the short-term rental ordinance was passed, and he is waiting to see if the fines and public awareness campaign will actually dissuade prospective Airbnb hosts in Saratoga.

The takeaway

Saratoga's ban on short-term rentals highlights the ongoing tension between residents' desire for quiet, stable neighborhoods and homeowners' interest in supplementing their incomes through platforms like Airbnb. The mayor's skepticism about the ban's effectiveness suggests cities may need to take a more nuanced, targeted approach to regulating short-term rentals rather than enacting blanket bans.