| In response to growing complaints from local | | | | Some of these homes cost as much as $5000 |
| residents, Santa Cruz County Planning Department | | | | for a weekend, and on some streets there are |
| are getting together next week to devise a new | | | | almost a dozen rentals. |
| set of regulations for owners of vacation rentals | | | | Most of the rental home owners claim they are |
| located between Santa Cruz Harbor and Pleasure | | | | renting just to pay the bills as a result of lost |
| Point. | | | | jobs, or increased mortgage payments - if it |
| A Committee including Planning Department | | | | wasn't for the rent payments, they may lose |
| officials, residents and vacation home owners will | | | | their homes altogether. |
| propose a set of recommendations to be | | | | This area is highly dependant on tourism, and |
| reviewed and approved by the Board of | | | | many felt that cutting back on vacation rentals |
| Supervisors. They are hoping to have this | | | | would do more harm than good, especially since |
| wrapped up and in place by spring 2011. | | | | there are no hotels in the immediate area. |
| The problem started when real estate in a | | | | Resident Chuck Oliver feels each case should be |
| primarily residential area experienced a growing | | | | addressed individually, "we need people to start |
| conversion of vacation rentals resulting in a large | | | | being accountable and we can't punish 90 percent |
| population of tourists. Most tenants are just fine, | | | | for what 10 percent are doing." Unfortunately, |
| but there is a small percentage that have become | | | | most rules are instigated because of that |
| such a nuisance that the neighborhood is | | | | disruptive 10 percent, says Supervisor John |
| frequently being disrupted. There have been | | | | Leopold. |
| growing incidents of loud partying, drunkeness, | | | | The suggestion that rentals be restricted to a |
| street fights, littered properties, cars blocking | | | | minimum 7 days was met with strong disapproval |
| driveways, and resulting police calls - at least 10 in | | | | from landlords. In fact, most rely on weekends |
| the last six months. | | | | and 2 or 3 day rentals for the majority of their |
| The difficult part is devising a plan that will satisfy | | | | business. In this economy, not all families can |
| both long term residents and rental home owners, | | | | afford to vacation for extended periods. |
| and that will establish some sort of regulation | | | | Originally, new regulations were to apply to only |
| without going overboard. Some of the | | | | the Live Oak community, but Supervisor Ellen Pirie |
| recommendations include: | | | | suggested it should include Seacliff, Rio del Mar |
| - landlords to pay for cost of police action after | | | | and La Selva Beach as well. All of these |
| an incident | | | | neighborhoods are seeing a steady growth in |
| - ban on large events such as stag parties, | | | | short term rentals. |
| wedding receptions, business retreats | | | | Other communities that regulate vacation rentals |
| - guests should be required to stay a miniumum | | | | include Capitola which requires a permit and |
| of 1 week | | | | business license, and puts restraints on rental |
| - signs posted displaying contact information of | | | | locations. Monterey and Carmel address the issue |
| landlord in the event of problems | | | | by banning short term rentals in all residential |
| Resident, Margaret Macksey of Live Oak, | | | | areas. |
| complains, "we live in a residential neighborhood | | | | Once these businesses become regulated, and |
| and we are surrounded by commercial properties." | | | | order is somewhat restored, one has to wonder |
| Others describe the area as fraternity row, and | | | | if long time residents will ever feel comfortable. |
| feel that if these short term rentals are going to | | | | After all, the face of their quiet neighborhoods is |
| operate as businesses, they should be licensed | | | | evolving, and it will be up to them to decide |
| and regulated as commercial establishments. | | | | whether this is a place they still want to call home. |