The San Diego City Council members voted 7-2 to reject a proposal by council President Sherri Lightner that would have prohibited short-term vacation rentals in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes. Councilwoman Lorie Zapf was the only colleague to support her plan. In addition, the city council directed staff to develop a comprehensive set of regulations governing vacation rental properties in San Diego, and bring them back for consideration within four months.

According to Matt Landau, “This HUGE news for the people of San Diego and anyone else in a short term rental hot zone.”

Landau summarized the meeting (below) and what it means to other cities looking to regulate vacation rentals.

 

Meeting Summary

Today was an enormous win for STRASD members. After more than 5 hours of public comment, the Lightner proposal to ban home-sharing & rentals was shot down by a vote of 7 to 2. We are encouraged by the Council’s level-headedness, and their sincere desire to bring about a future fair ordinance to regulate Short Term Rentals for all San Diegans.

 

Outcomes

Some highlights from Council’s debate on the dais:

• Councilmember Todd Gloria thought that Lightner’s Ban proposal put the City in a very precarious legal position with the Coastal Commission. (We agree.) He also reminded everyone that over 500 days ago he asked the Mayor’s office to investigate what kind of budget would be needed for a strong Code Enforcement program to help enforce good guest behaviors….
• Councilmember Cole did not realize her district was affected by the STR issue, so big thanks to all of her constituents who have met with or written to her office to help educate her. She seemed touched by the testimony of home-sharers in her district.
• Councilmember Kersey noted that recently the Council had voted to allow expansion of start-up home businesses, begging the question how could they support home businesses, but not STRs. Good question!
• Councilmember Cate released his own STR ordinance yesterday. While we haven’t had a chance to review how it differs from his original ordinance, we have long supported his original, and we continue to be grateful for his support and efforts to bring about fair regulation. He and his staff have produced excellent work in this area, and we are eager to review it.
• Councilmember Sherman reminded everyone that the Coastal Commission has said, ‘No Bans in the coastal zone’, and he wondered how the City would have fared on a path with them had we banned STRs today. He also reminded everyone how a basic pillar of our freedom is the constitutional right to home-ownership — and a ban on STRs would not support that!
• Councilmember Alvarez reiterated some of the above, but his big winning statement came when he reminded the audience that everyone deserves to live in good neighborhoods, not just those in single family neighborhoods! Yes, thank you Alvarez for pointing out that life abounds beyond SFRs.
• Councilmember Emerald wanted to ensure home-sharing is protected going forward, and said we have an opportunity to set a nationwide example on how to manage STRs.

Does it get any better than this? This was stellar work from our electeds today!

But wait, there’s more.

 

What’s Next

Todd Gloria was THE super star. He proposed an alternative motion: the Mayor’s office should work out a budget for Code Enforcement; that DSD, Planning, and the Mayor’s office work on an ordinance framework to regulate STRs; and then run the whole process through the Smart Growth and Land Use committee for the public to weigh in.

Sherman seconded it.

Lightner wanted to know if it could include a rapid response for complaints/enforcement.(This seems like a good idea.)

After a little more debate, and with some input from City staff, the council was assured that we could likely review an ordinance within 3-4 months. Gloria’s motion passed 7-2.

So, what this means is that early next year, we will be looking at an ordinance to regulate STRs!

 

What You Can Do

A big win today thanks to your tremendous turnout is not a total victory. Short Term Rentals remain in a precarious position in San Diego and a long road lies ahead. So STRASD leadership is asking for your help. If you are interested in taking a more active role in the STR debate please respond to this message and let us know! We’re looking for additional organizing board members and appreciate anyone willing to lend a hand.

For more information, go to: http://www.vacationrentalmarketingblog.com/inner_circle_digest/

By Matt Landau