Clarifying Monterey County short-term rental pilot program

Blog note: This article refers to a response to a Monterey County grand jury report.

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif.

In Monterey County, leaders are clearing up some confusion on short-term rentals. On Wednesday, a group protested outside of Supervisor Mary Adams' office because they are against a new pilot program involving short-term rentals.

"This is not a ban on short-term rentals in Monterey County," said Mary Adams, Monterey County supervisor.

"I would tell her to stop this pilot program in its tracks and work with the association towards a reasonable process whereby we could become permitted and operate legally," said Craig Langkemp, who is on the board of the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance.

Adams said, "It's troublesome to me. I think it's most unfortunate that the very, very well-funded professionals in the short-term rental management business have come after me personally and have determined to frighten the community."

Adams continued by saying "I've met with the short-term rental people for over several years now, and the word 'ban' has never been on the table, ever. But that's what they're choosing to do. And unfortunately, it's not correct."

The Pilot program is in response to a grand jury report which investigated short-term rentals in the county. Among the findings, the report found the county's software for applying to be a rental operator is outdated and error-prone.

Another finding is the database systems, "do not allow Vacation Rental Transportation Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues to be easily broken out from other TOT classifications such as hotels and B&Bs, thereby reducing transparency and limiting data available for management and decision making."

Langkemp said, "The county's claim that all we need to do is get a permit to operate is disingenuous. The process to get a permit is six to seven thousand dollars, can take up to two years."

Adams responded, "Of course, it's going to cost. There's no question about it. I understand and I share the frustration of taking so much time to get a permit. That's what we should be able to discern by having a pilot program where the chokeholds. Why is this taking so long? Let's get that fixed."

he county estimates there are more than 600 home rentals, but only 20 have permits to operate.

The program wants to get all rentals into compliance, including homeowners without permits, those advertising their homes for parties and those not paying the county transient occupancy tax.

"Of course, it's hard. But the truth is, if we don't have something that is rigorous, why even bother doing it?" Adams explained.

KCBW
Alani Letang
December 4, 2021