Calif. cities starting to regulate short-term rentals
By Marisa Agha, Sacramento Bee
Millions flock to the Southern California coast each year, often renting a cottage or condo for a respite by the sea.
But the explosive growth of online travel booking sites in recent years has prompted several coastal cities to consider tightening regulations on those who rent out their homes for short stays.
While proponents of the short-term rental industry say the additional income often is vital to property owners’ livelihoods and the local economy, city leaders and neighbors want greater oversight to protect residential neighborhoods, tax revenue and the availability of housing amid a booming industry.
Debates come as a state senator has proposed a bill that would require Web-based rental sites like San Francisco-based Airbnb to provide information about properties being rented to local governments.
But there has been pushback from Airbnb, its hosts and others in the short-term rental industry who say most renters are good neighbors whose dollars boost the economy.
As soon as the bureaucrats get their piece of the action, they will wander away from any meaningful regulation. As long as it is local bubbas making the money, they’re OK with it. As soon as “outsiders” are making the money, they want to get involved. Just like in our little town.
Well, big surprise.
The large vacation rental in my neighborhood has been ruining everyone’s day (but there own of course) for almost a week now. A 12 hour backyard party every day.
Hope you are enjoying your week at the expense of everyone else’s.
(Except for the out of town property owner who makes bank of course)
Well, big surprise.
The large vacation rental in my neighborhood has been ruining everyone’s day (but there own of course) for almost a week now. A 12 hour backyard party every day.
Hope you are enjoying your week at the expense of everyone else’s.
(except for the out of town owner and property managers that make bank.)
Rooster: Call the PD or Sheriffs. One near me just lost their deposit for acting like idiots. I have zero tolerance for them ( I wasn’t the one who called though) when they get too loud. The “out of town” property owner could care less, and the management Co. is useless. I’m hoping he loses his stinking permit. His house is a nuisance. We have T-Storms forecasted. Maybe lightening will strike…..my fingers are crossed.
Kits, by virtue of your history of over the top rants, my perception of your account description is probably three 7 to 10 year old that ran across your property chasing a wiffle ball, which in your eyes probably equals “acting like idiots”.
If I called the PD I’d be doing it most weekends.
I do for the late night crazys but usually just suffer in silence like I guess most of us do.
It does wear on you though. It used to be a nice quite neighborhood where I could actually open my living room windows and get a nice Tahoe breeze. Not anymore.
Bigger: You have proved once again when you ASSume. You couldn’t be more wrong, but then again I expect that from you.
Sorry Rooster…you should call on them though, but it’s your choice. I would rather call every time when needed and eventually have the permit revoked. End of problem. I wish you well and some sleep filled nights.
CALL THE POLICE!!!!OR Stop Complaining!!!! I want to hear what the chief has to say.
Go to the city council meeting tomorrow and voice your concerns. The vacation rental agents will be there in force.
I agree with Tahoe Local that realtors and VHR businesses will be at the Tuesday, July 21st City Council meeting in force and they’ll probably still be unwilling to make any kind of compromise. I would suggest that those VHR proponents start showing some cooperation and concern for the local residents because if a group such as Tahoe4Tahoe should again rally and place this matter on a ballot I think the local residents will unequivocally vote to eliminate VHRs. VHR proponents may want to exercise caution of an “it’s my way or the highway” attitude of arrogance.
As this article is entitled “California Cities Starting to Regulate Short-term Rentals”, the people of South Lake Tahoe could end up being the forerunner of other local jurisdictions ending this industry in their own communities.
(Note to VHR proponents: Peggy Bourland from Tahe4Tahoe has already voiced to the City Council her opposition to VHRs.)
The City needs to stand up to the real estate industry once and for all. I remember the threats Jim Morris and others made years ago, claiming having a VHR is a property right. WRONG!
There is more at stake than just money. A sense of community comes from the people who live here, and our sense of community has been severely eroded. In developing public policy it is important for our Council to balance the needs of residents with the needs of our visitors. The balance was tipped in favor of visitors a long time ago, and the residents need to be considered to tip the scales back into balance. Quality of life for residents is important!
And don’t think that all of these vacation rentals don’t hurt our local restaurants, because they do.
Real estate agents need to go back to the exam they took to become licensed – ZONING is important!
Morris is an old goat needing a pasture to wander in. He couldn’t care less about anyone but his law breaking self.
End the unruly debate and divisiveness. Put the issue to a vote of the populace. What more fair way of resolving this issue could there possibly be, but to let the citizens make the final decision.
You would think that the real estate industry would want to self regulate and compromise before vacation rentals get outlawed.
4mer, Try reading what I wrote in the Mnt. News. That is almost exactly what I said and it seems to me that you agree with me by your post. I have talked with both sides as well as the police dept. Everybody wants the same thing, it is the council that is going to push this the way of paid parking. Thanks, Kenny
Ken Curtzwiler:
I don’t read the Mtn. News so I haven’t read your article. I agree with you that the City Council will likely push this the same way as paid parking and that the voters could very well end up making the final decision. This appears to be a hot topic on which a whole lot of people who may not normally agree, do agree, and I think that the local realtors and the VHR management companies should take heed of that. By being so uncompromising they could end up losing it all, and the City could end up losing VHR TOT revenue.
People who’ve been here a while will recall that, as part of our city’s goal to become a destination resort, it wanted to attract more affluent visitors. It supported reducing the number of motel rooms (“TAU”) and eliminating signs that advertised rates, to discourage price cutting.
I estimate that the ten twenty-somethings who rented the 3-bedroom VHR next to me paid $10 per night.
By permitting unlimited VCRs, the city has vastly expanded the number of TAUs.
4mer, I read everything here and all the posts as well as other news sources. You should read all of them and perhaps your opinion of me would change from a ponytail windbag to someone who actually cares about this town and community and is trying to make a difference. Most of your thoughts and ideas are very good but I have been writing about them for about 25 years and we are often on the same page (minus your facetious and condescending attitude towards me)and I came from a military background as well. Focus on the issue and not the person. Just a thought. Thanks. Kenny
Ken Curtzwiler:
My opinion of you is based on your comments and your conduct that I’ve witnessed when I watch the City Council meetings online and on what you’ve written (other than in the Mtn. News which as I said before I’ve not read). Sometimes I agree with you and sometimes I don’t, but I don’t find someone needing acknowledgement for the altruistic efforts they’ve performed particularly honorable. Doing the right thing should be for that reason only and shouldn’t require praise.
You said to “Focus on the issue and not the person.” For me the messenger of any issue is of key importance—some commanders you wouldn’t follow to the chow line, and then there are others you’d follow all the way to hell with no questions asked.
I wish you well.
If these rentals are outlawed does anyone really think the owners will stop renting short term?
Like most prohibitions they will go underground. The City will lose out on the TOT and have the cost of enforcement.
If they can’t enforce the current rules with a dedicated source of funding how will they enforce a ban?