Perimeters of the Twentynine Palms’ Vacation Home Rental (VHR) violation policy were certainly tested during last night’s meeting of the city’s Planning Commission as they reckoned with two separate violators, both on Mañana Drive.
The first issue concerned a VHR permit holder who lives on the property and rents out rooms on Airbnb but was also renting out an RV on the same property via Hipcamp, a site that offers outdoor stays and camping experiences. (While it is legal to store a trailer or an RV on ones’ property, overnight stays are illegal.)
The second issue was similar though it concerned a re-purposed school bus with an awning and outdoor kitchen area. The owner claimed she was sold the house by a real estate agent who not only assured her that the set-up was legal but that the agent, in fact, had three properties arranged in the same fashion. The city contacted the property owners via letter, both owners immediately contacted Hipcamp to remove the listings, and then called the city to seek a solution.
After much discussion, the commission ultimately voted to impose a three-month suspension of the issued VHR permits, and an end to the Hipcamp rentals, with the bus owner required to attend the Good Neighbor class in accordance with a permit renewal. (Commission Chair Leslie Paahana voted ‘no’ in both instances.)
Community Development Director Keith Gardner did point out to both owners that they could appeal the decision to the Twentynine Palms City Council. Otherwise, their VHR permits would not be valid again until June 21st of this year.
At the meeting’s close, Gardner told the commission about the study session they are conducting on the many types of camping and that they are, in fact, talking to Hipcamp.
