Dana Point council reconsiders new rules for short-term rentals – Orange County Register

Residents of Dana Point are asking the City Council to review tonight, July 12, new rules on how short-term rentals can operate in this coastal town which is a popular destination for whale-watching tours and beach vacation.

In May, the Planning Commission approved regulations for properties advertised on online rental sites like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway, capping the number allowed unless the owner rents out part of their own home or property. to several units, but will remain in place.

But residents appealing, argue that the Planning Commission is not equipped to handle the problem and that the city council should make the rules. They are also concerned that too many categories of vacation rentals are being allowed and that they will be pushed into two areas of the city, Capistrano Beach and the Lantern District. The call was submitted by Mark Zanides and Kim Tarantino.

“When we initially saw what was posted, we analyzed it and found reasons why the ordinance did not address key issues,” Tarantino said, pointing out that the city already has a significant number of accommodation for overnight visitors. the coast and faces a housing shortage.

Landlords could be incentivized to evict long-term tenants in favor of turning apartments and townhouses into vacation rentals, which could be much more profitable, Tarantino said. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

Tonight, City Council is expected to collect feedback from residents and discuss the commission’s decision. A subcommittee of council – made up of councilors Mike Frost and Michale Villar – has already met with residents to consider possible trade-offs, and city workers have made some changes to what the Planning Commission has decided.

Vacation rentals have been debated in this town and others along the coast for years. Dana Point first opened the door to short-term rentals in 2006, but it wasn’t until 2015 that the city council put in place the necessary rules for them to start operating and within a short time. a year, under pressure from community groups and a 4,000-signature referendum, the council imposed a moratorium on new permits.

About 18 months ago, the city council tasked the planning commission with putting together a workable program. Commissioners updated the city’s business codes and addressed regulatory and nuisance issues. Next, the commissioners met with people connected to vacation rentals, including the companies that house the properties, owners of short-term rentals and residents, city officials said.

Planning commissioner Eric Nelson said the commission looked at many things, but really focused on stopping the nuisance in neighborhoods that can be created by short-term rentals.

The commission limited properties used exclusively for vacation rentals and ensured operators did not own more than one home, he said.

A landlord who rents out one or two guest rooms, or a duplex, must be on site when the visitor is there, he added. “There were arrangements that they would need to be there at a certain time each night.”

Landlords who rent out their homes for a limited time — between 30 and 90 days — are required to have a short-term rental permit and notify neighbors of the plan.

But worried residents said it was not enough. They want to see tighter controls with more enforcement.

While they support the grandfather plan in the 129 permits already issued for non-hosted vacation rentals, they are calling for no new permits to be made available in residential areas. Instead, they should be limited to mixed-use areas, residents argued. They would also agree that no more than five duplexes should be allowed as vacation rentals per district in Dana Point.

Zanides said he fears the city will take a huge leap forward with the new rules for short-term rentals.

“The only prudent thing to do,” he said, “is to grant a call and start all over again.”