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City passes new law on vacation rentals
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CommentWhile some Napans complain about vacation rentals in their neighborhoods, others are seeking to add their homes to the list of those approved for short-term rental to travelers.
Meanwhile, the city of Napa is taking steps to clean up a five-year-old mess connected to the use of private homes for hospitality purposes.
Meanwhile, the city of Napa is taking steps to clean up a five-year-old mess connected to the use of private homes for hospitality purposes.
On Tuesday, the Napa City Council passed an urgency ordinance allowing use of a limited number of homes as vacation rentals. The city is working on a permanent ordinance to be unveiled this fall, followed by a strict code enforcement effort.
The city plans to hold a vacation-rental workshop for homeowners, real estate professionals and others on Monday.
The city plans to hold a vacation-rental workshop for homeowners, real estate professionals and others on Monday.
The city found itself in a dilemma earlier this year when it discovered that from 2003 until January, city staff had allowed some 49 homeowners “conditional” approval to rent their homes to travelers if the homeowners paid transient occupancy tax to the city. But the city never issued business permits to the owners.
Earlier this year, the city stopped issuing conditional licenses while it figured out how to clean up the approval process, address the concerns of neighbors who said the rentals cause disruptions and respond to property owners who had previously been told they could rent their homes to travelers.
Earlier this year, the city stopped issuing conditional licenses while it figured out how to clean up the approval process, address the concerns of neighbors who said the rentals cause disruptions and respond to property owners who had previously been told they could rent their homes to travelers.
In addition to the homes operating with city approval, it is believed that dozens, if not hundreds, of other homes in Napa are rented illegally to weekend travelers. The homes differ from traditional bed-and-breakfast inns, which generally must be in buildings of historical significance and which require the presence of an on-site manager.
On Tuesday, the city passed an ordinance that authorizes interim vacation rental permits for those homeowners who received the OK from the city before January of this year, as well as owners of “pipeline” properties who could show that they had invested in upgrading their properties in the good-faith belief that the city would allow them to offer short-term rentals.
The city received 33 applications for interim permits in the previous two weeks. Nineteen applications were approved. Assistant City Manager Dana Smith said Tuesday that 14 applications showed insufficient evidence that the homes were to be used as rentals. She said homeowners whose applications were denied would have a chance to appeal the city’s decision.
Competing interests
Several residents addressed the council Tuesday, some deploring private “hotels” in residential areas and others pleading for the chance to get a city permit to operate one.
Two vacation rentals were slammed by neighbors, one on Arden Way in Browns Valley and one on Bella Drive, near Salvador Elementary School.
Robert Urrea, a resident of Arden Way, was the first of several to criticize what he called a “full-scale hotel” on a “once-quiet cul-de-sac” in Browns Valley.
He noted that the owner had previously been denied a business permit, but was now doing a brisk business with as many as 11 guests a night. In his retirement, Urrea said, he finds “a hotel next to me that I had no input into and no opportunity to object to.”
Christine Butler of north Napa pleaded with the council to curb the commercial use of homes like one on Bella Drive, saying, “I want my neighborhood back.”
Other Napans from Old Town and Browns Valley came forward to inquire about why they were denied a permit or to ask if they still had a chance to get one. Some operators of vacation rentals said they are responsible business owners, working with neighbors, discouraging rowdy behavior and providing a service to business travelers and others.
Smith said the city hopes to have a permanent ordinance drafted by September. She and members of the city council said the city then will turn to swiftly requiring strict adherence to codes on noise, parking and other matters.
“There are some businesses that are going to be shut down,” said Councilman Jim Krider.
Councilwoman Juliana Inman did not participate in the discussion or vote, stating she is an investor in a licensed vacancy rental in Napa.
What: Meeting on vacation rental homes in Napa
When: Monday, July 7, 3 p.m.
Where: Napa City Council Chambers
On Tuesday, the city passed an ordinance that authorizes interim vacation rental permits for those homeowners who received the OK from the city before January of this year, as well as owners of “pipeline” properties who could show that they had invested in upgrading their properties in the good-faith belief that the city would allow them to offer short-term rentals.
The city received 33 applications for interim permits in the previous two weeks. Nineteen applications were approved. Assistant City Manager Dana Smith said Tuesday that 14 applications showed insufficient evidence that the homes were to be used as rentals. She said homeowners whose applications were denied would have a chance to appeal the city’s decision.
Competing interests
Several residents addressed the council Tuesday, some deploring private “hotels” in residential areas and others pleading for the chance to get a city permit to operate one.
Two vacation rentals were slammed by neighbors, one on Arden Way in Browns Valley and one on Bella Drive, near Salvador Elementary School.
Robert Urrea, a resident of Arden Way, was the first of several to criticize what he called a “full-scale hotel” on a “once-quiet cul-de-sac” in Browns Valley.
He noted that the owner had previously been denied a business permit, but was now doing a brisk business with as many as 11 guests a night. In his retirement, Urrea said, he finds “a hotel next to me that I had no input into and no opportunity to object to.”
Christine Butler of north Napa pleaded with the council to curb the commercial use of homes like one on Bella Drive, saying, “I want my neighborhood back.”
Other Napans from Old Town and Browns Valley came forward to inquire about why they were denied a permit or to ask if they still had a chance to get one. Some operators of vacation rentals said they are responsible business owners, working with neighbors, discouraging rowdy behavior and providing a service to business travelers and others.
Smith said the city hopes to have a permanent ordinance drafted by September. She and members of the city council said the city then will turn to swiftly requiring strict adherence to codes on noise, parking and other matters.
“There are some businesses that are going to be shut down,” said Councilman Jim Krider.
Councilwoman Juliana Inman did not participate in the discussion or vote, stating she is an investor in a licensed vacancy rental in Napa.
What: Meeting on vacation rental homes in Napa
When: Monday, July 7, 3 p.m.
Where: Napa City Council Chambers
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109823 wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:53 AM:
Mind Set wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:43 AM:
Dwayne wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:06 AM:
musikluvr wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:30 AM:
hudds5 wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:44 AM:
Lola wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:40 PM:
suze wrote on Jul 4, 2008 1:15 PM:
musikluvr wrote on Jul 4, 2008 4:01 PM:
gentlereader wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:37 PM:
It would not be so bad if people were just renting out their house for a month while they took care of grandma out of state.
But rich people from far away buying up your neighbors' houses and then stuffing them with tourists who look at you as a stranger, that will be chilling. It has happened in other towns.
Look around your street and imagine if every house that came up for sale was bought with the sole view of turning it into a hotel. And by the way - there is no manager at that hotel to complain to when guest's music is blaring at 4 a.m.!
Many of us see this as a way to cash in on the renewal of Napa. There is another term for it: selling your soul.
I like Napa with a soul! "
gentlereader wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:48 PM:
It would not be so bad if people were just renting out their house for a month while they took care of grandma out of state.
But rich people from far away buying up your neighbors' houses and then stuffing them with tourists who look at you as a stranger - that will be chilling, especially when a third or more of your “neighbors” are fly-by-night tourists. It has happened in other towns.
Look around your street and imagine if every house that came up for sale was bought with the sole view of turning it into a hotel. And by the way - there is no manager at that hotel to complain to when guest's music is blaring at 4 a.m.!
Many of us see this as a way to cash in on the renewal of Napa. There is another term for it: selling your soul.
I like Napa with a soul! "