Airbnb told Portland officials Tuesday that it would block local users from listing multiple properties in violation of city rules.

The website, which allows homeowners to rent their private residence to vacationers, said its new "one host, one home" policy would help protect Portland's housing stock from being converted into vacation rentals and adding to the squeeze on renters in the city.

The company previously introduced the policy in New York and San Francisco.

Document: Airbnb memo to Portland City Council outlining new policy

It would limit hosts to advertising rentals at a single address. That's intended to prevent someone from buying up multiple homes for the purpose of listing them as vacation rentals on Airbnb.

The city allows only Portlanders to advertise vacation rentals in homes that serve as their primary residence for at least nine months of the year.

There are some allowable exceptions, including commercial hotels and permitted rentals operated out of apartment buildings, that advertise on Airbnb. Those could be approved manually by Airbnb employees.

The company said it would also exempt users who manage a listing for a friend.

The new policy comes as Airbnb seeks less rigorous regulation of its business.

The company said its users find the city's requirements arduous. Airbnb hosts are required to undergo a city inspection to receive a permit, as well as secure a business license and a tax certificate. The company said it would like the city to streamline those rules.

The city, however, has found that its rules aren't enough to keep Airbnb hosts in line. Last year, it proposed to increase fines on illegal short-term rentals to $1,000 to $5,000 per day of violation and to do away with a 30-day grace period.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus