Short-term rental discussion continues

By Brooklynn Wong

The conversation about short-term rentals in Buena Park, such as Airbnb’s, continued last week.

Such properties were prohibited by an urgency ordinance as discussed at a few different City Council Meetings in May and June.

The city decided to not permit them for the time being, as they work to come up with a method that will allow the responsible ones to continue and the few problematic ones to be more heavily regulated.

According to a presentation by Senior Planner Swati Meshram, city staff continues to receive input. A group called the Buena Park Short-Term Rental Coalition has formed and has shown up in large numbers to speak at City Council Meetings. They have been vocal in defending property rights and seeking to come to an amicable solution with the city so they can continue operating their short-term rentals.

At the last City Council Meeting, on June 25, the Council voted to extend the current moratorium for 60 more days.

Senior Planner Meshram presented some of staff’s ideas on how to regulate short-term rentals in the city. She said they acknowledge the pros, but it is those that could “alter the residential character” of a neighborhood that they, and neighbors, are concerned about. Most of the Council spoke about having no problem with owner-occupied rentals, where the property is the owner’s home, they are present, and they have a room or two that they rent out. The properties where visitors rent out an entire house and are there by themselves are the ones that tend to be problematic, staff said. One resident spoke about one property that he knows of, on Via Balboa, that is still operating as a short-term rental.

Community Development Director Joel Rosen said there are “quite a few [short-term rentals] in the city now,” and two or three that have generated complaints. 

Meshram said these problematic properties that can turn into party sites also can place a burden on first responders and other municipal services.

To combat altering the residential character, Meshram suggested that there be no external signs or advertisements on the exterior of the properties, the number of cars allowed on-site and parked in the street be limited, quiet hours be put into place, no large outdoor gatherings after a certain time be allowed, no side door entries that would affect neighbors, periodic inspections, and validating the identification of guests and keeping a record.

So for now, the moratorium is still in place, and city staff is working to find the solution that will best appease short-term rental owners and those who want them either more regulated or banned for good.

Meshram and Rosen said that next steps will include a community meeting, then bringing it back before the City Council, and hearings before the Planning Commission. 

The City Council will next meet on July 23 at 5 p.m.