Local officials have repeatedly asked Angelenos not to party amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped largely unmasked, closer-than-six-feet gatherings from occurring in homes and other venues across the county. Airbnb had already banned parties on its platform worldwide, and now, the short-term lodging service has removed more than 50 properties in L.A. County for violating that ban.
The company announced a “global ban” on parties on Aug. 20, limiting the number of guests at any property to 16. The cap applies to all future bookings indefinitely. Airbnb also said it would implement consequences for both guests and hosts who failed to follow the rules, including community bans and possible legal action.
Today, Airbnb said it suspended or removed over 50 L.A. County properties for violating the party ban. They include listings in the City of Los Angeles as well as Burbank, Calabasas, Compton, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, La Cañada Flintridge, Long Beach, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Pasadena, West Hollywood and Whittier.
“The vast majority of hosts in Los Angeles County contribute positively to their neighborhoods and economy, and they also take important steps to prevent unauthorized parties — like establishing clear house rules, quiet hours, and communicating in advance with their guests,” the company said in a statement. “Our actions today address the small minority of hosts who have previously received warnings about hosting responsibly or have otherwise violated our policies.”
The L.A. County Department of Public Health has also issued a legally binding ban on parties, and Mayor Eric Garcetti has threatened to cut off water and power services to homes that continue to host large gatherings. This has already happened to a Hollywood Hills home inhabited by TikTok influencers.