Short-Term Rentals Discussion Continued to Future Council Meeting

By Eric Heinz 

Over the course of a three-hour discussion during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the debate about putting more requirements on short-term lodging units in San Clemente could not be settled. Both those in opposition and in support gave their opinion on a code amendment that would require homeowners to occupy their residence for 275 days per year and allow them to rent 90 days to visitors out of the year.

Additional amendments included parking arrangements, the requirement of obtaining a business license and others. The code amendment was added to the Tuesday night agenda following the failure of a temporary moratorium the city planned to put on the establishment of STLUs.

STLU is defined as lodging under 30 days within a residence.

Over the course of the debates, homeowners have stated that renting their home is a major contributor to their personal income.

On the other hand, residents against STLUs in their community say they’ve become a trendy, ubiquitous nuisance, bringing rambunctious behavior, unwelcome noise from guests at late hours and putting a squeeze on parking.

Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Chris Hamm brought forth a proposal that would establish a grandfather clause to protect STLU owners already operating with a license and within compliance to stay only one day out of the year at their residence until 2021. Then they would be subject to the city’s code.

Mayor Bob Baker and Councilwoman Lori Donchak did not want to take action on the item as Baker said the document had just been presented and the public had not been able to view it with adequate time to respond.

City Manager James Makshanoff said the city plans to put the grandfather clause document on the city’s website, www.san-clemente.org.

STLU codes are expected to return to City Council during the next meeting, but it will be the discretion of the council as to whether it is put on the agenda.