Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item 10Flores, Dora From: Ana Gomez < Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 3:41 PM To: eComment Subject: Agenda Item #10 OC Grand Jury Findings Attachments: Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council Aug 5th.docx Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Mayor Amezcua and Councilmembers, I am writing to respectfully urge the Council to reconsider Santa Ana's current ban on short-term rentals (STRs) and explore a more balanced, regulated alternative. Recent research (notably the Orange County Grand Jury's 2024-25 report on STRs) suggests that outright bans may not be the only — or the best — way to achieve these aims. In fact, the Grand Jury found that STRs are not a significant factor in our housing shortage. As the report concludes, STRs "should not be considered a significant factor in the availability of affordable housing in Orange County," (oc rg andjury.org). In plain terms, removing STRs entirely is unlikely to substantially open up more housing — a conversion analysis in the report showed that even converting all existing rentals would yield only a small fraction of the needed units (ocg andjury.orgocgrandjury.org). Moreover, the report emphasizes that STRs "can be good neighbors" when responsible regulations are in place (oc rg andjury.org). It specifically notes that the burden of making rentals community -friendly should be on the hosts and the city — not on ordinary neighborhood residents (oc rg andjury.org). This means we can address nuisance concerns through clear rules (such as quiet hours, occupancy limits, and contact information requirements) rather than simply forbidding rentals altogether. Short-term rentals can also benefit our local economy and city budget. The Grand Jury highlights that even modest STR tax collections add to a city's general fund (ocgrandjury.org). For example, Newport Beach reports that STR Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) makes up about 2% of its annual revenue (oc rg andjury.org) — all dollars that support city services. Santa Ana could similarly capture new revenue. A well -run home -sharing boosts tourism dollars and supports local jobs and stores, helping the whole community. Conversely, the Grand Jury cautions that bans are not a panacea. Even cities with bans struggle to enforce them fully, and unintended problems arise. The report bluntly observes that "even with robust Code Enforcement, a city's statutory ban on STRs is not enough to keep STRs from operating," (oc rg andjury.org). In practice, after a ban some homeowners simply continue hosting without a permit, and it becomes a game of "whack -a -mole" for enforcement. The report describes how cities that assumed STRs were implicitly banned without clear laws often lost court challenges, forcing them to scramble to write new ordinances (ocgrandjury.org). This suggests our city could continue expending resources on enforcement and litigation without solving the underlying issues. Instead, a regulated approach — where any homeowner who wants to rent must obtain a permit, adhere to safety inspections, and follow clear rules — would allow the city to control and monitor STRs, rather than driving them underground. Importantly, the Grand Jury also outlines "best practices" for STRs that protect neighborhoods. Examples include requiring hosts to provide a local emergency contact, posting their permit number on all listings, and submitting TOT payments monthly (oc rg andjury.org). Enforcing noise curfews and parking limits also addresses the common complaints that motivated the ban. In fact, the report notes that Orange County cities like Seal Beach, Dana Point, and Orange have adopted these "Good Neighbor" policies and now see very low complaint rates (oc rg andjury.org). By following these guidelines, STR hosts can be held accountable so that neighbors are not disturbed, and the city retains oversight and revenue. On a personal note, I (and many other Santa Ana homeowners) would gladly comply with such reasonable rules. I rent out one spare room in my home to a vetted guest only occasionally, in part to cover rising living expenses. The ban has made this impossible. Under a fair permitting system, I would abide by STR program requirements (for example, I would post my local contact information, and strictly enforce my own quiet hours) so that any impact on neighbors is zero. At the same time, my guests would contribute to local businesses, pay city taxes, and enjoy Santa Ana benefiting all of us. In closing, I respectfully ask the City Council to reconsider the current ban on short-term rentals and explore a balanced regulatory approach. The goal of preserving housing and neighborhood quality is shared by all of us, but the evidence suggests we can achieve it without an outright ban. A thoughtful STR program — one that requires permits, enforces sensible "good neighbor" rules, and collects taxes — would protect residents from nuisances while allowing homeowners to share their homes responsibly (ocgrandjury.orgoc rg andjury.org). It would capture new revenue for Santa Ana and support small businesses in our city. Thank you for your time and for considering an approach that truly balances everyone's interests. I trust that with open review of the facts (including the Orange County Grand Jury's findings), Santa Ana can find a fair solution that keeps our neighborhoods safe and our city thriving. Sincerely, Ana Gomez Ward 3 Flores, Dora From: Kathryn Levassiur < Sent: Friday, August 1, 2025 2:26 PM To: eComment Subject: Agenda Item 10 Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mayor Pro Tem Vazquez and Santa Ana City Councilmembers, My public comment for agenda item 10 My name is Kathryn Levassiur. I'm a Huntington Beach resident, founder of the Huntington Beach Short Term Rental Alliance, and a volunteer Airbnb Community Leader representing hosts throughout Orange County. I'm speaking today on my own behalf. I urge the council to revisit the current ordinance and thoughtfully consider the findings and recommendations of the Orange County Grand Jury report. Santa Ana, and all of Orange County, is a global destination. Short- term rentals support local businesses, generate sustainable tax revenue, and provide flexible housing options that benefit both visitors and residents. Just as importantly, they uphold the rights of property owners. I believe that if I asked each of you whether you support property rights, you'd all say yes. But maintaining the current restrictions contradicts that principle. Please consider a more balanced policy, one that both protects neighborhoods and honors the rights of your residents. Sincerely, Kathryn Levassiur Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Flores, Dora From: Phuong Bui <info@calstra.org> Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 5:23 PM To: eComment Subject: Consent item 10 - August 5th, 2025 Attachments: Santa Ana, CA - CALSTRA Letter of Support for Reasonable STR Regulations.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Good evening, On behalf of the California Short Term Rental Association, I'm submitting an e-public comment regarding item 10 on the consent calendar for tonight's meeting. Thanks for your time. All the best, California ShortT.. Rental California Short Term Rental August 5, 2025 The Honorable Valerie Amezcua Members of the Santa Ana City Council 22 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, We are writing on behalf of the many residents who previously hosted short-term rental guests in Santa Ana. These were not large commercial operations; rather, they were predominately families and individuals who opened their homes to travelers to help cover everyday expenses such as medical bills and mortgages, while contributing to the local economy. The latest Orange County Daily Grand Jury report, "Long Term Solutions to Short Term Rentals" reaffirms that blanket bans on short-term rentals are rarely successful. The report also debunks the common misconception that short-term rentals drive up housing costs. In fact, it finds no conclusive evidence that allowing home sharing has a measurable impact on affordable housing in jurisdictions where such rentals are responsibly regulated. Before the short term rental ban, people acted in good faith and brought real benefits to local neighborhoods and the city as a whole. STR operators supported local small businesses and welcomed travelers who generated economic activity throughout Santa Ana. Participation in the local tourism ecosystem was meaningful, and many former hosts did so with pride and respect for neighbors. We urge the Council to consider reasonable, balanced regulations that allow for short-term rentals and provide exemptions during major events such as the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. These exemptions would not only meet the city's tourism and lodging needs during high demand periods, but would also allow for more generated revenue for the city. Santa Ana has the opportunity to lead by example by adopting regulations that address community concerns without shutting the door on residents earning supplemental income through responsible home sharing. We are eager to be part of the solution and respectfully ask that you engage with us to build a framework that works for residents, visitors, and the City. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, California Short Term Rental Association (CalSTRA)