Post by High Priestess on Jun 5, 2019 14:37:47 GMT
The city of Palo Alto is collecting taxes from a type of business that its own laws define as illegal.
peninsulapress.com/2018/10/30/palo-alto-profiting-from-unauthorized-short-term-rentals/
However, city leaders wisely note that short term rentals are not actually a problem in the city, so why make something into a problem if it's not a problem. More city leaders should take this common sense approach.
peninsulapress.com/2018/10/30/palo-alto-profiting-from-unauthorized-short-term-rentals/
However, city leaders wisely note that short term rentals are not actually a problem in the city, so why make something into a problem if it's not a problem. More city leaders should take this common sense approach.
According to French, only 27 complaints were submitted in the last three years about short-term rentals. And while Wolbach said he was eager for the city council to discuss regulating short-term rentals, other members were less inclined.
“Sometimes I think, you know, government’s trying to solve problems that aren’t necessarily problems,” Councilman Adrian Fine said in an interview. “We have to be careful of that. I don’t really hear of a problem, and I don’t think we should go changing things if they’re not important to residents.”
The Code Enforcement Division regulates these units on a complaint-basis by telling owners their units violate city ordinances. With only two officers, however, French said it is hard to enforce the zoning laws.
“Sometimes I think, you know, government’s trying to solve problems that aren’t necessarily problems,” Councilman Adrian Fine said in an interview. “We have to be careful of that. I don’t really hear of a problem, and I don’t think we should go changing things if they’re not important to residents.”
The Code Enforcement Division regulates these units on a complaint-basis by telling owners their units violate city ordinances. With only two officers, however, French said it is hard to enforce the zoning laws.