I got hit with a zoning violation as well, from a neighbor reporting me. They found my ad. They live 4 doors down so they would not have easily noticed the different cars coming. Suprisingly none of my adjacent neighbors said anything...I would think they would be the first ones to have an issue.
I was told to apply for a variance or cease operations. I thought a variance was nonsense, but the township threatened further enforcement action. I spoke to an attorney and he said "just apply for the variance and it will be resolved". Yeah right. I appeared before a zoning hearing board, and told them all about Airbnb (nobody on the board ever heard of it) The neighbors who came to the meeting opposed, and the board denied my variance. and I am to get a notice to either cease operations or file an appeal.
Geez, I own and live in the house, so it is still being used as a primary residence. I thought it was the non-owner occupied properties that were having issues.
Apparantly there was an ordinance that came out right around the time I was reported, which I never knew about, it says transient "tourist" housing is allowed only in the commercial district. I had my listing up long before there was anything about short-term rentals. I did not think a property would be a transient dwelling if the owner lives in it.
I told the board there are many listings in my town, which they were not aware of. I would think if whoever reported me found my ad, they would have found theirs too. The zoning director tells me "we are going after them and shutting them down". If other hosts fight it then I may be able to get together with them and file an appeal...but if they say it's not worth it and then shut down...then that will not help me.
The appeal goes to my county court. I will have to see if it's worthwhile. it depends how much help I get.
I am heartbroken..i've been doing Airbnb for a year and a half and never had an issue. It's gone well for me, kept me financially stable and I met many nice people.