Public and private statements in local and national press, social media, and public forums have claimed…

Measure T came about because the City did not address the VHR issue. A vocal minority said this is why they took the issue into their own hands and created Measure T. 

This is flat out FALSE and their attempt to rewrite history. 

 Measure T came about because this vocal minority refused to accept a well-conceived and thorough compromise that hundreds of people worked on. The City Council, city staff, and our community worked continuously from 2015 through 2018 to address issues raised about VHRs.  Thousands of hours and significant funds were spent researching the issues, alternatives, and crafting what became the strictest ordinance in the country.  This ordinance was approved by the City Council in November 2017.  The initiative that became Measure T was initiated in December 2017, well before the new ordinance had a chance to be proven effective.  The people behind Measure T did not get 100 percent of what they wanted in the new ordinance and refused the compromise. The City Manager in 2017 even presented a possible alternative compromise that they swiftly turned down without any discussion.  Don’t let history be rewritten. Please review the current ordinance, still one of the strictest in the country.  Understand how we got there and how it can and should be used to reintroduce a successful VHR program for all the City’s residents.

 Some History

More than a hundred concerned citizens (including myself), city staff, and local officials participated in the effort to create a strict new ordinance that would reduce noise, trash, and parking issues.  Among the changes made in the new ordinance were lower occupancy limits, a cap on new permits, new bear enclosure restrictions, improved enforcement with six enforcement officers hired, fast response to complaints, stiff penalties, transparency about the complaint to resolution process, and a three-strike rule to cancel a permit for homes with repeat citations.  We knew from the start that the result would require compromises from all involved.  I admit to thinking the new ordinance went too far, but I was willing to give it a chance and was encouraged that a commitment to continuously evaluate progress with data would keep us on track, protect our neighbors, retain jobs, and help fund city projects for all residents.

The vocal minority that disliked VHRs was unwilling to compromise.  They preferred eliminating all VHRs over implementing a strict program and measuring results, regardless of the impact it had on jobs, families, and our economy.  Before the ordinance was finalized and approved, they were threatening Council members about reelection and starting a petition.  When they did not get their way, they followed through on their threat to create an initiative to ban vacation rentals.  There was ZERO compromise in their initiative.  In fact, the signature gathering and promotional efforts featured lower rent, more affordable housing, and more housing for first-time home buyers. We all know those “sales pitches”, did not happen.

The new/strict ordinance went into effect on December 21, 2017, with full staffing of six CSOs by August 2018.  By January of 2020, the tracking proved the new ordinance was working, bringing down complaints and citations, improving enforcement response times, and providing the public with transparency to track their complaints and the results of enforcement efforts.

 Measure T passed by just 58 votes in November 2018, reflecting a split in our community.  How many Yes voters believed their vote would result in lower rents and more housing?  How many thought that it would not impact employment opportunities?  And how many knew that the new ordinance was already working to reduce complaints and citations? How many projected a loss of over 70 small businesses in the years that followed.

Through the end of 2021, when the last vacation rental in residential areas lost their permit because of Measure T, the ordinance had proved an effective tool to significantly reduce issues with VHRs a provide a family friendly contributor to our local economy.

 Results of the strict new ordinance effective Dec 2017 through December 2021:

  • Complaints were reduced every year
  • Citations for noise, trash, and parking reduced
  • Enforcement response times reduced to under 17.5 minutes, with most under 15 minutes
  • Identifying and citing illegal VHRs is easier and more effective
  • VHR Permits were terminated for multiple citations

 Results of Measure T

  • 1400 VHRs eliminated
    • Neighbors were saying how much better their neighborhoods were even before a single permit was lost in 2021, thanks to the new ordinance, not Measure T
  • Approximately 250 jobs directly tied to managing vacation rentals were eliminated
  • Approximately 4500 contracts for snow clearing, plumbing, construction, housekeeping, maintenance, electrical, and more were eliminated
  • An estimated $5,000,000 of TOT tax revenues eliminated for ’22 and beyond (If VHRs were not restricted to Tourist Core only).
  • Over $20,000,000 in lost sales tax revenues
  • Over 70 closed small businesses with Ski-Run to the Y, particularly hard hit
  • Lease to Locals added 52 homes to rental inventory over 6 years, not all still renting
  • Rental prices have increased by over 50%
  • Rental inventory has remained scarce
  • A significant number of homeowners had to sell their homes, with many having been in their families for decades
  • Bonds to help fund the Recreation Center approved
  • Measure S Sales Tax enacted to help cover City Revenue needs for roads, snow removal, law enforcement and fire department needs. All things TOT can be used for. 
  • $XXX,XXX attorney fees and staff time defending Measure T and staff time to implement and now undo Measure T
  • Increase in illegal VHRs

Problem Homes and Habitual Complainers – 2019

  • Only 17 homes (1.5% of the total VHRs) accounted for 36% of all complaints in 2019
    • These could be problem homes that the 3-strikes rule would eliminate
    • These could also be the result of vigilante neighbors who complain about anything (children playing during the day)
    • The CSO team reported that it was a bit of both

Kind Regards,

Stuart Roberson Resident, South Lake Tahoe