HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail from Dan Raner - Vacation - Short-term Rentals Menchaca, Clarissa
From: Bennett, Robin
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2017 12:34 PM
To: Menchaca, Clarissa
Cc: Hahn, Paul; McCracken, Shari;Teeter, Doug
Subject: Ernaiiing:09-25-2017 Dan Raner Itr dtd Sept 20 2017
Attachments: 09-25-2017 Dan Raner Itr dtd Sept 20 2017.pdf
Importance: High
Please see the attached BOS correspondence from Dan Raner regarding Vacation/Short-term Rentals.
Thank you,
Robin Bennett,
Executive Assistant
(530) 872-6304 rbennett@buttecounty.net Butte County Supervisor's Office Supervisor Doug Teeter, Board of
Supervisors, District 5
747 Elliott Road
Paradise,CA 95969
1
DATE: September 20, 2017
TOTim Snellings, Director, Development Services
�Pete Calarco, Assistant Director
Butte County Board of Supervisors
FROMI: Dan Raner, Resident of Forest Ranch
RE: Vacation or Short-Term Rentals
I'm writing on behalf of the seven parcels owners on two private roads in
Forest Ranch. We discovered this summer, by chance, that one of our
neighbors was renting out his home on the VRBO and Airbnb websites.
None of us had been notified and we were being burdened with a variety
of problems from the renters.
I began phoning the Development Services Department on July 13 1h to
inquire about Butte County Short-Term Rental regulations. After many
phone discussions over two months, Assistant Director Pete Calarco
recommended I write this letter.
Mr. Calarco confirmed that the Short-Term rental was not legal in our
Foothill-Residential zone and that the rental owner did not apply for any
permit., Mr. Calarco acknowledged the memo of April 12, 2016 from Tim
Spellings to the Butte County Board of Supervisors where the Director
provided an update on "VACATION or SHORT-TERM RENTALS".
In the April 1211, memo, Mr. Snellings wrote about complaints received and
the non-compliance with local land use regulations. He wrote..."Short term
rentals or vacations rentals (less.than 30 day rentals) are not permitted in
residential zones. Short-term rentals generate impacts, including traffic,
noise, and activities that are more intensive than the single family
residential uses supported under Residential zoning."
He went on to write..."Landowners are therefore advised to not start, or
discontinue short-term rentals, and to alternatively consider the option of
applying for a minor use permit for a Bed and Breakfast A minor use
permit is subject to a noticed public hearing...including notification of
neighbors...Under this process, the use is reviewed for compatibility with
surrounding residential uses."
On July 27`h Mr. Calarco told me that the Code Enforcement Department
would send out a "violation notice" to the rental owner, beginning with
"voluntary compliance within 30 days".
In several follow-up phone calls with Mr. Calarco (August 171h and 30th) I
was told that the violation notice was not sent because of a court case in
Chico where a judge ruled against the City's enforcement of a Short-Term
rental. In addition, I was told that the Board of Supervisors took no action
on Mr. Snellings April 12`h recommendations and that the Board had no
known plans to address the issue_ because Chico had,chosen not.to.appeal
the judge's ruling.
I'm sure that the Board of Supervisors and Department administrators
understand that Short-Term Rentals are, and will continue, to be a growing
problem. There is a well-funded network of consultants and lawyers who
are available to help rental owners set up websites, navigate local
regulations, and rake in enormous profits. Local business people
encourage tourism and, perhaps, some of these profits end up as
campaign contributions. Butte County is an attractive vacation destination
and it appears that a number of out-of-county buyers are purchasing
homes and property in residential zones for the express purpose of setting
up Short-Term Rentals.
On the other hand, local home owners who bought in residential zones are
confronted with "motels" popping up in our neighborhoods. We have no
funding or consultants to help us.
However, we have started organizing and sharing our complaints. I won't
detail all our burdens, but...our private gravel road is being damaged
weekly, up to 19 cars have been parked at noisy parties, strangers drive
into neighboring parcels, vehicles are speeding, unleashed dogs are
roaming on porches and charging at neighbors, trash cans are left out for
animals to scatter, trash bags are placed on neighbors' Waste Mgt. barrels
prompting an extra surcharge on their garbage bills, and the rental owner
is on a shared-well with three other owners. With new strangers coming to
party every week, we have deep concerns about fire safety and evacuation
plans. I could go on.
We understand that all zoning permits must comply with the General Plan
and its concern for the "Quality of Life" and the "Rural Character" of Butte
County. And we understand that the judge's ruling in the Chico case
-. simply--Aated that the local regulations o-ff-Short=Term rentals were
unclear...and it was up to local government to clarify them.
We believe there's a strong reason for the Board and County to act quickly
on this issue. Short-Term rentals are like "Motels" and "Event Rentals" in
that their customers are coming to "vacation and celebrate". The VRBO
website for our neighbor's rental emphasizes "events, parties, weddings,
graduations." After renters arrive, they are followed by invited friends.
Motels and Event Rentals always have on-site supervision, enforced
regulations on noise and hours, and, at Events with larger crowds, private
security. In Butte County, we are allowing people to advertise on the
world-wide web to attract paying customers to come to quiet
neighborhoods and hold large celebratory events—all un-supervised and
un-regulated. What could go wrong?
We believe it's a reasonable expectation that something will go wrong. If
the Board and its Administrators do not create regulations to protect
residential homeowners—could that "non-action" be considered a
negligent lack of due diligence" and lead to "legal exposure" for the
County?
Finally, we believe there's a solution outlined in Mr. Snellings memo of April
121 2016. The Board can simply pass an amendment statingi:
"ALL SHORT-TERM RENTALS (UNDER 30 DAYS) WILL COMPLY WITH
BED AND BREAKFAST REGULATIONS./,
Our current county Bed and Breakfast regulations include: Permit process
with notifications. Owners live on-site in permanent residence. At least
one meal prepared and served daily. Up to eight guest rooms. Inspections
by Public Health and Fire Department. Not to mention the tax revenue.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this growing issue. I
can, be reached at (530) 345-4763 or PO Box 694, Forest Ranch, 95942.
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