SF homeowners able to register homes for short-term rental

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Monday marked the first day homeowners could apply to have their home registered in San Francisco if they want to rent it out through services like AirBnB.

The San Francisco Short-term Residential Rental Registry allows houses or apartments to be leased for less than 30 days at a time, and no more than 90 days per year.

Homeowners and tenants apply for the registry with the planning department.

Some of Monday's applicants have been renting their homes for a long time.

"I knew that it was not legal," homeowner Ivan Abeshaus said. "That it was slightly out of compliance with the code, but that it was ignored. But at the time this way they've made it legitimate and legal and let me register to become a legit business owner in San Francisco and I'm excited to do that."

The planning department said it takes about 30-to-40 minutes to register in person.

It then takes another two weeks or so to review each application.