It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a neighborhood in our Morongo Basin that hasn’t been impacted by the recent proliferation of Short-Term Vacation Rentals. And while Short-Term Rentals, or STRs, in Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms are licensed and regulated by the respective local government, those operating in the unincorporated communities are regulated by the county. And when ‘public peace, health and safety’ are in jeopardy, the county can enact what’s called an “urgency ordinance.” And that’s exactly what is expected to take place at tomorrow’s 10 a.m. meeting of county supervisors in San Bernardino. Here’s reporter Mike Lipsitz with more…
As the number of Short-Term Rentals has increased, so have complaints. In the past, complaints were limited to nuisances like noise, traffic, and litter, but according to county reports, the increased number of STRs has driven up rents and reduced availability of longer-term leases. For local residents and workers looking for affordable housing, the impact has been significant. Not blind to the economic benefit of STRs, supervisors are not likely to call for a moratorium on new permits as some have called for; instead, acting under the “urgency ordinance,” they are expected to significantly increase fines and penalties for violators of STR rules and permitting requirements with fines for first-time offenses expected to increase from $100 to $1,000. More code enforcement officers with expanded hours and authority are also expected to help bring the situation under control.
The following applies to meetings:
(1) The public may view the Board Meeting live stream at http://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/ViewMeetings.aspx;
(2) If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item or a general public comment prior to the Board meeting, submit comments via U.S. Mail*, email at [email protected] or online at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx. Comments received prior to the start of the meeting will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for review;
(3) If you wish to make a comment on a specific item or a general public comment while watching the live stream, submit comments, limited to 250 words or less, to the Clerk of the Board at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx. Comments received prior to the end of the meeting will be provided to the Board of Supervisors after the meeting;
(4) If attending the meeting in person, facial coverings, and a temperature reading are required. Seating in the board chambers is limited to maintain appropriate social distancing. Additional seating with video and audio of the meeting is available in the Joshua Room and the Rotunda, located on the first floor of the Government Center, adjacent to the chambers.
Any person interested in viewing or addressing the Board during a meeting by interactive video may do so at the Bob Burke Joshua Tree Government Center, 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree.
