Gas station gets AirBNB revoked

People looking to book a stay on AirBNB can find some pretty unique places, like a bus or maybe even a backyard shed. But a salinas gas station owner is being shut down after throwing his establishment into the mix.

Sanborn & Market Gas in Salinas has been under new management for two months, and it didn’t take long for new owner Pete Shen to make some waves.

“About two weeks ago I listed my gas station as an Air BNB…gas station stay over,” said Shen.

The idea of renting a room at a gas station went viral. Only a few days later, his listing was taken down and deemed illegal.

“From the city, from the landlord, and from our insurance agent, they said no you can’t do it. Shut it down,” said Shen.

His insurance company threatened to drop coverage if he rented out the station, his landlord told him that his lease accomodated gas station purposes only, and as for the City of Salinas.

“He did not go through the appropriate planning entitlement process which is through the site plan review, from a property maintenance code standpoint it’s not safe, and from a building code perspective, you have to look at the safety of anyone who would be in that space staying overnight,” said Megan Hunter, Director of Community Development for Salinas.

Shen says it was worth a try.

“I’m proud to say I intentionally drew up a lot of heat,” said Shen.

With his first idea shot down, Shen says he hopes to open a hotel on the property in a few years, if his landlord approves it.

“Something I’ll be able to plan hopefully in the future if he approves it, and also with the city, not fight with them, go along with it the right way,” said Shen.

For now, anyone looking to stay overnight inside a gas station will have to look for another unique option.