South Lake Tahoe City Council looks to finalize shared rental ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been much discussion in the community about the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Shared Rental Ordinance, one that is up for a vote during the November 3 City Council meeting.

A shared rental, also known as a hosted rental, is one where a person rents a portion of their home to a visitor on a short term basis* while they are still living in the home. They are not new in South Lake Tahoe, but the focus has been on creating an ordinance for them as a large number of people started obtaining business licenses for shared rentals in recent months.

City Council and legal counsel wanted to make sure people were doing the rentals in the right manner and close any loopholes that could be found. As Councilmember Brooke Laine has said during the creation of this ordinance and others, make the rules clear and a "bright line" so there can be no misinterpretations.

With the passage of Measure T in 2018 that bans most vacation rentals in the city by the end of 2021, many were concerned that the owners of those homes would look for other methods to earn income on their second homes. Measure T allows for a homeowner to rent out the home they live in for up to 30 days a year, but not a second home owner. It is unclear how those 30 days would be tracked.

The hosted, or shared, rentals will be regulated by the new ordinance that is presented to Council Tuesday.

"We are trying to close the loophole and support what the voters voted for (Measure T)," said Mayor Jason Collin.

City Council had concerns about only a business license requirement for a shared rental as it did not allow for effective enforcement. The same problems as vacation home rentals such as noise, trash and parking could possibly impact a neighborhood, and Council asked for reasonable regulations to mitigate impacts.

Highlights of the proposed Shared Rental Ordinance:

If the applicant is a homeowner, copy of property tax exemption or written statement signed under penalty of perjury that hosted rental dwelling is the principal place of residence of homeowner.

If applicant is a tenant, signed permission from the property owner for the tenant to use the property as a hosted rental, copy of lease agreement(s) for a term of two years or more or establishing tenancy under multiple consecutive agreements adding up to two years or more, and written statement signed under penalty of perjury that dwelling is tenant’s principal place of residence

Homeowner or tenant must reside in the same dwelling as the hosted rental.

Hosted rentals are not permitted in multifamily dwellings, accessory dwelling units, or timeshares.

Camping and sleeping in tents, travel trailers, campers, or recreational vehicles is not permitted at the hosted rental property.

Bedrooms shall meet minimum size and other requirements as defined in the building code.

All applicable building and fire code requirements, as specified in the self-inspection certified checklist application requirement, shall be met.

The homeowner or tenant shall be available by telephone to respond to complaints regarding the hosted rental, and shall be available to respond in person to complaints within sixty minutes.

The homeowner or tenant shall be available by telephone to respond to complaints regarding the hosted rental, and shall be available to respond in person to complaints within sixty minutes.

The maximum number of guests allowed in a hosted rental shall not exceed two people per hosted bedroom and shall not exceed six total guests. Children five and under are not counted toward maximum occupancy. Rental to unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 is prohibited.

Events such as weddings and receptions are prohibited.

Vacation Home Rentals in the Tourist Core Area of South Lake Tahoe are still allowed with the passage of Measure T. The Tuesday meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. and ways to participate and view can be found here - https://www.cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilPlanning-Commission-Me.