Paso Robles News|Thursday, March 28, 2024
You are here: Home » Politics » Taskforce meets to discuss short-term rental management
  • Follow Us!

Taskforce meets to discuss short-term rental management 

Short term rental task force Paso Robles

The Short-Term Rental Task Force met Thursday, June 16 to discuss a process for management of short-term rentals.

City has over 300 short-term rentals, with no approval process currently required except a business license

Vacation rental ordinance paso robles–On Thursday, June 16 the City of Paso Robles Short-Term Rental Task Force met for the fourth time to discuss a process of management for short-term rentals. The task force discussed American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), a review of draft definitions and a potential short-term accommodation complaint hotline.

Short-term rentals are homes and second units that are rented out for less than 30 days at a time. It is estimated that there are more than 300 now in operation in Paso Robles. The task force examines the issue of short-term rentals and is responsible for developing a comprehensive set of recommendations for council consideration. The task force is made up of community members who represent all sides of the issue including, Meridith Maas, Stacie Jacob, Jill Ogorsolka, Mark McConnell, Kathy Bonelli, Bill Haas and Dan Jones and chaired by Director of Community Development Warren Frace. Haas and Jones were unable to attend Thursdays meeting.

Frace said short-term rental operators currently only need a business license. “Hotels are lodging facilities in commercial zones,” he said. “They are a ‘permitted’ use, but typically require a Planning Commission approval of a planned development based on the size of the new buildings. Bed and breakfasts are lodging facilities in residential zones with five rooms or less. They require a conditional use permit approved by the Planning Commission (see 21.15 of Zoning Ordinance).” Frace said the task force was potentially looking at a process for management which could include an application and license process. “The short-term rental task force is supposed to make a recommendation to the city council later this summer,” he said. “The city council would provide final direction on all the policy issues, process and fees before referring it to planning commission for hearings.”

The task force reviewed draft definitions and made changes to clearly outline the terms surrounding short-term rentals such as defining the difference between bed and breakfast facilities and homestay (short-term) accommodation. They discussed the difference between short term accommodation and an event house, including number of people permitted onsite during different uses. They discussed during short term accommodation licensing processes that floor plans would be provided as part of an approvals process and accommodation could only be provided in a legally established bedroom. Frace said this would potentially lead to greater transparency. “If there was a complaint against the accommodation conditions we could review the floor plans and do a site inspection,” he said.

Maas said the task force did not want to discourage this type of business but the group wanted to encourage proper process and provision of documentation for approval. Fellow task force member Bonelli said the task force needed to ensure the guidelines are laid out clearly to ensure there isn’t any room to flout the guidelines.

Deputy Building Official Brian Cowen provided a presentation on American’s with Disabilities Act in relation to short-term rentals. He said it is very unlikely that a home being used for short-term rentals is subject to ADA requirements. “ADA is in relation to civil rights, the city will not enforce it, but this does not mean someone can’t make a claim.”

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 23 June at 3 p.m and is open to members of the public. Agendas and other materials are posted on the city’s website; and the public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and suggestions. For further information visit www.prcity.com.

Share To Social Media

Comments

About the author: News Staff

The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.