The Kibitzer

Vacation Rentals Can Work in Laguna

I love home share sites like AirBnB and VRBO. They have shrunken the world and democratized hospitality in a marvelous way. I stay in unique architectural abodes in interesting neighborhoods, instead of hotels in tourist districts. I have a more authentic local experience and am immersed more deeply in the culture. And most importantly, I meet and interact with real locals that love where they live. I often get a free tour guide with great suggestions for local eating and shopping.
AirBnB members often overwhelm you with kindness and unexpected perks. They may pick you up at the airport, stock the fridge with delicacies and essentials, make calls for you, and even act as your translator.

Home share sites are one of the first safe ways to connect full families with local home owners for memorable moments such as reunions, birthdays or a wedding. Families can stay together in one home instead of three or four hotel rooms, deepening bonds.

On a trip to Istanbul last year, we rented a three-bedroom apartment for three couples. Having a living room to hang in instead of a hotel lobby made for a far more intimate and enriching experience.

Laguna Beach may lose these home share opportunities that bring thousands more shoppers to our city to patronize our restaurants and shops. In a unanimous and somewhat zealous decision, City Council placed an emergency 45-day moratorium on short-term rentals.

Council was unsparing in their disdain for the practice. Kelly Boyd likened it to a cancer that needed to be swiftly eradicated. Steve Dicterow warned of it attracting “rock bands and drug lords.” Rob Zur Schmiede claimed these newfangled apps were “throwing out 100 years of zoning laws.” And for Toni Iseman it was the end of housing stock, the end of rental stock, the end to quality of life, and a burden on police. Only Mayor Whalen exhibited any ambivalence by admitting to using and liking the service as an affordable way for his growing family to travel, and wondering whether there might be some way to maintain an inventory of short term rentals.

Public commentary also vilified the practice. One spoke of renters climbing over fences to reach the beach, devoid of civility. Another claimed that if you live next to a short-term renter “your life is ruined.” His sister is apparently one of those life ruiners. He complained to Council that she makes $30-40,000 a month in summer renting illegally. And “she does it because she needs the money,” he explained without a trace of irony. That’s sibling love.

But we didn’t hear from the many on fixed or no incomes with hefty mortgages who get help from renting a room. Or from responsible families who get to visit and enjoy Laguna who would not have otherwise been able to afford it.

What prompted this agenda item is that complaints have risen from 56 in all of 2014, to 19 in April of this year alone. But how reliable are these numbers? There are 64 legal short-term rental permits in town, but websites lists hundreds of Laguna Beach listings. So the complaints as a percentage of the actual sample of rentals is still small.

Most everyone I know who has rented someone’s home, or rented their own home out, have reported nothing but stellar experiences. Are there occasional Neanderthals who lack respect? Sure. Like everything in life a few can spoil it for all of us.

So what can we do to mitigate boorish behavior, maintain rental stock, and still offer families the awesome experience of staying in a unique Laguna home in a charming Laguna neighborhood?

First, ban mercenary investors who are buying properties and converting them to strictly short-term rentals. That’s a hotel conversion and zoning violation.

Then put in place strict measures to ensure civilized behavior (require renters to sign a clause that any noise violations are subject to immediate eviction without refund), impose a hefty security deposit, and restrict parking to driveways only.

And, of course, require all home renters to pay their share of the temporary occupancy tax, bringing more tourist revenue to town.

City staff has been asked to return in 45 days with suggestions. I hope they can step back from a prohibition mindset and remember that there are many who would like to come to Laguna and enjoy its immense charm.

Let’s, as Mayor Whalen suggested, explore a middle ground that can accommodate everyone and make a win/win for visitors, renters, neighbors, and our local businesses.

Billy Fried is the chief paddling officer at La Vida Laguna. He serves on the board of Transition Laguna, and hosts “Laguna Talks,” Thursdays at 8 p.m. on local radio station KX 93.5. He can be reached at [email protected].