Local Lodging Affected by STR Decision

Clear Message,

Once again, the Board of Supervisors has made a major decision that will impact businesses, jobs, and families without asking our opinions.

On Tuesday, February 3rd, the BOS heard an excellent staff report on the development of an inland short-term rental (STR) ordinance. The boundaries for the ordinance are areas that are not in the Coastal zone (within two miles of the coast) and not located in city limits. The report described that the county conducted five community meetings (one in each district) and an online survey.

The report showed that there were 132 responses to the online survey but did not indicate how many surveys were sent out and what regions were included. Information on how many people attended the public meetings were unavailable. Boonville was one community selected as the location in the 5th District to hold the public outreach. Ninety-two of the online respondents indicated that they did not support unregulated expansion.

The unanimous recommendation from the BOS was to not regulate corporate or non-resident developers from buying up properties and turning them into short-term rentals. The decision will affect lodging and resident STR owners in some of the county’s highest tourist destination areas. According to the county, 279 lodging businesses operated in Fort Bragg/Mendocino and 184 establishments were identified in the South County. With over two-thirds of the total STR inventory coming from Fort Bragg to Gualala, you would think that the county would reach out to those most impacted by the BOS’s decision.

Their action may jeopardize the operational security of local lodging establishments or residents looking to supplement their income, local jobs and economic vitality for the county. What impact will this action have on the future development of work force housing in the county.

Kevin Evans
Anchor Bay