Vacation-rental provider HomeAway's attempt to stop new regulations for house rentals in San Francisco has been halted.
Today a district judge dismissed HomeAway's case and denied its request for a preliminary injunction.
The judge said the company had no standing to bring the case because it doesn't itself own properties in the city.
As Tnooz reported in November, the city passed an ordinance (see, here) that enabled only permanent residents to rent out properties in the short-term.
HomeAway, which runs four vacation-rental websites, believes that the ordinance is unfair and discriminatory towards second home owners and non-resident companies and individuals.
HomeAway has more vacation rentals from owners of second homes than rival Airbnb does. As Tnooz reported in November, HomeAway is concerned that the law, in the company's words:
"effectively turns over control of short-term rentals to the San Francisco-based company Airbnb."
Similar legislation is being proposed in New York State, and HomeAway has threatened legal action there as well.
The San Francisco ordinance goes into effect 1 February. Some issues around tax collection still need to be settled. The decision has been posted online.
EARLIER: HomeAway files suit against the City of San Francisco
NB: Image of San Francisco officials deliberating on the "Airbnb Law" courtesy kevinkrejci of Flickr/Creative Commons.