Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Section 30-19 (Short Term Rentals) of Chapter 30 (Development Regulations) to Establish Zoning Regulations for Short Term Rental of Residential Property, Applicable Citywide.
This action is exempt from environmental review under Section 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act (common sense exemption) because it would not result in any new construction or substantial change of use. (Planning Building and Transportation Department 20962710)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Planning Board and staff recommend that the City Council adopt zoning regulations to implement Housing Element Policy H-19, which calls for limiting short-term rentals to increase the supply of long-term housing. These regulations would allow home sharing and vacation rentals in dwelling units and other habitable sleeping spaces that are part of the host's permanent residence. Units that have had a no-fault eviction or are subsidized or regulated as affordable units would not be eligible. Units constructed under an Accessory Dwelling Unit permit also would be ineligible. Most hosts operate through an online platform that collects and remits the City of Alameda’s (City) transient occupancy tax on visitors’ behalf, similar to commercial hotels. A business license is also required. Performance standards would apply to the hosts and visitors to minimize neighborhood impacts, including occupancy limits and prohibitions on large gatherings. The Planning Department would issue ministerial approval if all requirements are met.
BACKGROUND
The issue of preserving available housing stock and avoiding the conversion of housing into short term rental (STRs) – which are effectively hotel rooms – was raised during preparation of the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element. The main interest was in bringing some regulation to Alameda’s STR activ...
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