Residents renting out spare rooms in their homes to travelers is the oldest, most well-established form of accommodations on record both here in Charleston, and around the world. For ages, home-sharing has provided vital income that’s allowed people to keep their homes and to afford the ever-increasing costs of homeownership. In addition to helping them to maintain their homes, this income can provide homeowners with the time and the resources to pursue their passions, start a new business, or to care for an ill family member.  Home-shares present low-impact, grassroots economic development opportunities across a variety of neighborhoods for municipalities and for local businesses. Internet and mobile-based booking sites such as Airbnb provide effective mechanisms such as review processes, payments held in escrow until transactions are complete, and identity verification measures so that home-sharing is safe for everyone involved. These kinds of rentals generally don’t negatively impact traffic or parking, and with the homeowner on site, nuisance problems are unlikely to arise.  At the moment, City ordinances prohibit most homeowners from renting out a spare bedroom to guests for under 30 days. These laws serve the hotels, not Charleston’s citizens. Mayor Tecklenburg, residents, City Council and City staff must hold a frank discussion about Charleston’s role in the current sharing economy and pass fair, easy-to-understand legislation that’s more in line with cities around the world who have allowed home-sharing to flourish into the 21st century.