“We don’t want commercial ‘touristification’ in our residential neighborhood,” said one resident.
The revised law — which passed its first reading by the same margin last month and will now head to the California Coastal Commission for review — would restrict short-term rentals to certain commercial zones.
The few dozen residents already legally running such rentals in their neighborhoods would be grandfathered in once the new regulations go into effect.
The updated law also would increase penalties for those who violate the ordinance and place additional requirements on short-term lodging platforms, including Airbnb, to enforce the rules.
Some residents opposed the changes, saying they unfairly limit homeowners who might want to tap into an additional income stream. At one point, a verbal spat broke out after a disgruntled resident — who cursed during his comments at the podium — claimed another member of the audience had raised his cane at him, prompting Mayor Bob Whalen to call for order.