Paso Robles is taking another shot at regulating short-term rentals.
City Council members said there were too many gray areas with the ordinance presented back in February.
Paso Robles city leaders say there are more than 300 legal short-term rentals in the city. Some fear there could actually be significantly more since there have been delays in regulation.
Leaders are tasked with finding a balance between neighborhood peace and personal business.
Carolyn Blank opens her home to visitors. But with neighborhood streets overflowing from downtown parking, she says adding more parking for her guests will be tough.
“Many of these places don’t have street parking driveways, so putting parking and short-term rental together in an ordinance is a conflict of interest,” Blank said.
Her rental would be considered a homestay since she lives on site. The city wants more restrictions for those who don’t.
“They have the same restrictions on occupancy and number of people, number of parking spaces, but there are no restrictions on the total number or separation,” said Warren Frace, Paso Robles Community Development Director.
The plan would only allow for 100 short-term rentals that aren’t occupied and they would need to be at least 200 feet away from each other.
Right now, about 200 are legally operating in the city, so those would be grandfathered in.
Leaders say that would be higher than the 100 cap, but they hope that number would decrease over time.
“The thinking is that naturally over time people will get tired of renting short-term rentals and that number will reduce naturally,” Frace said.
If approved, short-term rental permits would cost $550 and be good for three years.
Short-term rentals might also be required to expand neighborhood notice.
Wednesday night, the planning commission will present a revised ordinance draft. The recommendation is for the city to review the status of short-term rentals every year.
The public hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.
