HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2018 0620 CCSA REG ITEM 09GCITY OF MOORPARK,
CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
of June 20, 2018
ACTION Received and filed
BY M. Benson
G. Consider Update on Short Term Residential Rentals Code Amendments.
Staff Recommendation: Receive and file the report.
Item: 9.G.
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Joseph Fiss, Planning Manager
DATE: 6/20/2018 Regular Meeting
SUBJECT: Consider Update on Short Term Residential Rentals Code
Amendments
SUMMARY/BACKGROUND
On February 7, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-3674 initiating
proceedings to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance addressing, among
other things, short term residential rentals.
Short term residential rentals (STRs) are lodging arrangements such as vacation
rentals, homestays, or room rentals, secured for periods less than thirty days. The
proliferation of online marketplaces and services used to arrange short term rentals,
such as Airbnb, Homeaway, and VRBO, has resulted in private citizens entering the
short term rental market, by renting their single family homes and even individual rooms
on a short term basis.
This raises questions regarding impacts on the City of Moorpark, including
neighborhood impacts, the operation of improperly licensed businesses, and the
requirement for additional City services, including police, fire, and code enforcement.
There is also the question of proper permitting, licensing, and the collection of Transient
Occupancy Tax.
DISCUSSION
A recent review of Airbnb.com found nearly 40 short term rentals offered in and around
the City of Moorpark. Some of these listings may lie outside City limits; exact addresses
are not made available until bookings are completed. Some listings may include
adjacent cities in the titles in an effort to widen search results. At least 10 short term
rentals were clearly located within Moorpark city limits.
Item: 9.G.
670
Honorable City Council
6/20/2018, Regular Meeting
Page 2
Of these listings, over 20 were for single room rentals, 2 were for guest houses, and 11
were for whole house rentals. Prices for single rooms ranged from $32 to $110 per
night; whole homes from $155 to $695 per night. Many of the listings expressed
landlord interest in exploring terms for longer rental periods. The number and type of
lodgings fluctuates as homeowners enter and exit the STR market for a variety of
reasons.
Since the initiation of the Ordinance amendment, Community Development Department
staff has been researching options for regulating STRs in a manner consistent with
Moorpark’s community standards. Since STRs are not strictly a land use and zoning
issue, staff has been reviewing the entire Moorpark Municipal Code to determine other
sections which may need to be amended.
Among the code sections requiring amendment are Chapter 3.18 Transient Occupancy
Tax, Title 5 Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulation, and Title 17 Zoning. Definitions
in each section will be revised to include STRs and to be consistent from section to
section. Staff is evaluating methods for collection of Transient Occupancy Tax where
appropriate.
Staff will also be recommending a process for entitlement for the various types of STRs,
such as single room, or whole house rentals. Standards may include parking
requirements, notification, total number of days a room or dwelling can be rented, and
nuisance standards.
Some cities in California have more experience regulating STRs and have already
implemented standards. Some of these cities are in resort areas where such uses can
be expected, especially on a seasonal basis. Others are in areas such as tech hubs,
where contract employees may be visiting for days or weeks when working on a project.
Staff must carefully evaluate potential standards based on Moorpark’s unique
community values and neighborhood compatibility, while still recognizing the reality of
changes in the travel and housing marketplace.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
671