Short-term rental ordinance clears hurdle, on to full board

After a year of draft revisions, the Madera County Planning Commission on April 29 voted to move the Short-term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance forward for consideration by the board of supervisors.

The ordinance proposed is regarding policies and standards for the approval, maintenance and operation of residential dwelling units as short-term vacation rentals within the county.

Commissioners present at the meeting in Madera were chair Tom Burdette, vice-chair Emlen Miles-Mattingly, Michael Estrada and Diana Palmer. Commissioner Jeff Dal Cerro was absent.

Senior Planner Trevor Stearns presented the information. Public and commissioner comments on the draft ordinance were included in the meeting, which was recorded and is available for viewing on the county’s website (see below).

A report on the meeting was provided by the county.

Public comment included one who spoke about commercial use in a residential zone while another who owns many short-term vacation rentals spoke in favor of the ordinance.

One individual talked about tiny homes which are attractive to short-term rental owners and asked about the potential to add high quality permitted tiny homes on wheels as vacation rental lodging under the ordinance.

Another said the draft ordinance as it reads is very generous to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).

A representative of an alliance of STVR owners and supporters said there have not been enough studies conducted and the ordinance is very restrictive, over-regulating lawful residential use by improper transfer of authority for approval to water and sewer districts.

They said “grandfathering” in will hurt investments and mentioned the need to have the permit renewed annually.

One individual did not want to have to renew the permit every year and another agreed the permit does not need to be renewed annually and questioned the enforcement of off-street parking.

A caller wanted to ensure there is no government outreach and the ordinance should be constitutional.

One present said it is important to represent all the communities in the county as a whole.

Another said property values are being reduced because of the short-term vacation rentals, the county is not staffed appropriately and there has not been an economic impact study done.

A person asked if there are measures put into place to bring the noncompliance rentals into compliance instead of focusing on the current compliant rental owners.

After the close of the public comment period, Commissioner Palmer spoke about concerns regarding occupancy limits. Commissioner Miles-Mattingly spoke about having the permit renewed every two years instead of annually.

On a motion by Palmer and seconded by Miles-Mattingly, it was ordered to approve the ordinance with the commissioners’ comments as a recommendation to the board of supervisors “especially considering the occupancy, RV tiny homes, permits and with the minimization of the wording.”

The motion carried on a vote of 3-1 in favor with one absent. Palmer, Miles-Mattingly and Burdette voted yes. Estrada voted no.

The STVR ordinance is expected to be considered by the board of supervisors in June.

For more information including future meeting schedules and updates visit www.maderacounty.com/government/community-economic-development-department/divisions/planning-division/short-term-vacation-rental-ordinance