REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Introduce an Ordinance to add a new Chapter 19.76 entitled Short-term Rentals and Home Sharing to Title 19 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, and find that the project is exempt under CEQA pursuant to Guidelines 15061(b)(3) (Study Issue 2015-7147)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
In recent years, the City has experienced a significant increase in the number of residents who rent all or part of their homes to guests staying thirty days or less. Pursuant to the zoning code (19.12.210), this activity is considered transient lodging similar to hotels and motels, and is therefore currently prohibited in residential zoning districts. However, enforcement of this prohibition is resource intensive and challenging. Many short-term rentals appear to co-exist peacefully with neighbors: there have been instances, however, where neighbors complained that short-term rental activities created a nuisance, especially when the rental generates a high turnover of strangers in the neighborhood. While not entirely reliable as an accurate count of activity, based on a review of advertising on websites such as Airbnb, there are currently more than 200 residences in the City being used for short-term rentals, making the task of enforcement a potentially significant work load. The task of enforcement is significant. Typically, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) responds on a complaint basis, and works towards resolving the issue with the occupant, owner and neighbors. However, DPS cannot lawfully enter a residence to conduct an investigation without a search warrant, consent, or exigent circumstances.
Many people use short-term rentals while on business trips, vacations, or while their home is under construction. Proponents argue that short-term rentals provide a more local experience, create opportunities to meet people, and are an alternative to traditional lodging. During large, area-wide events, short-term rentals can help augment the e...
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