Vacation rental rules debated

After more than three hours of discussion on Tuesday, the Petaluma Planning Commission seemed supportive of a plan to regulate short-term vacation rentals such as the ones offered online at sites like AirBnB.com, but asked city staff to explore the issue further before making its final decision.

“Personally, I think we need to move slow on this,” said Commission Chair Bill Wolpert.

The largest lingering question was whether the regulations should differ between house rentals, where there is no host on site, and room rentals, where a responsible party is on hand to enforce the city’s rules. Homes with hosts present are less likely to have disturbances than vacant homes, which could become “party houses,” said Commissioner Jennifer Pierre.

“And that’s what’s of concern to some neighbors,” she added.

Economic Development Manager Ingrid Alverde outlined suggested rules for vacation rentals, which were gleaned from ordinances regulating such rentals in multiple cities, including Sonoma, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. The rules limit the number of people who can stay at a rental to two people per bedroom, plus two additional guests, meaning a four-bedroom home could house 10 people. In terms of parking, rentals must offer one covered parking spot in a private drive and two uncovered parking spots, which could include street parking if it is directly in front of the home. Rental owners would be required to get a business license, a permit at a cost of $300 (plus $100 per year for renewals) and pay transient occupancy tax.

Using funds raised by the permit, the city would notify all residences within 500 feet of a new vacation rental. Homes that had three or more verified complaints filed against them during a single year could have their permits revoked.

Nearly 30 people spoke during public comment, of which a slight majority favored city staff’s recommendation to approve the rentals. Numerous AirBnB hosts spoke of the benefit to the city when tourists eat at restaurants and shop downtown. Others said the rental income they make is what’s keeping them in Petaluma.

“It’s the only way some of us have to keep our houses,” said Patricia Haramati, explaining that her husband died suddenly leaving her family with limited options for income.

Other neighbors spoke passionately against short-term rentals, asking the city to ban them entirely. They cited concerns over safety, parking and losing the “neighborhood” feel.

“Tourists, no matter how well-scrubbed, do not belong in my neighborhood,” said Susan Thompson.

The commission is expected to resume the discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 18, before making a recommendation to the city council. If passed by the council, the ordinance will go into effect within 90 days. Alverde said she’d like to see the ordinance in place by March or April.

(Contact Emily Charrier at emily.charrier@arguscourier.com)