Weigh in on the new Alpine County Rental Proposal

Bear Valley Homeowners:

If you rent your house, or have thought about doing so in the future, you need to read this.  

The Alpine County Planning Commission is proposing a new  short term rental ordinance which would regulate and restrict rentals of less than 30 days – a very large part of Bear Valley’s rental market.  

The stated purpose of the ordinance is to:  “support Alpine County’s tourist economy by allowing for additional lodging opportunities in a manner that provides for the health and safety of the occupants and does not alter the character of the neighborhood or create adverse impacts to the surrounding area.” 

Before a property could be rented the owner would be required to obtain a permit from Alpine County which would include, payment of an application fee (amount to be determined by Board of Supervisors), compliance with life safety measures, and notification of neighbors within 300 feet of the property.  Additionally owners would be required to renew the permit annually and report to the county the dates rented, number of occupants, amount of rent paid, and amount of transient tax paid.  There would be limits on the type of structures which can be considered for a permit, and limits on numbers of occupants, pets and events.

This proposal would be a barrier to many owners in Bear Valley who want to rent their homes, it would not increase lodging opportunities, it would restrict them.  This proposal piggybacks on ordinances which have been passed in large, metropolitan areas which we are not; the population of Bear Valley is by nature transient.  Adding a layer of bureaucracy would be a burden not a benefit.  Renters are already required to comply with the noise ordinance, and all other codes, laws and regulations, we do not need another regulation to enforce current law.  

The BVRI Board is opposed to this ordinance as we believe that is is unnecessary and will hurt Bear Valley.  We strongly encourage you to to look at the attached proposal and consider writing a letter opposing the proposed ordinance.  The first public hearing on this proposal is in Markleeville on December 1, 2016 and letters should be emailed to Brian Peters, Planning Director, bpeters@alpinecountyca.gov; or USPS mailed to 50 Diamond Valley Road, Markleeville, CA 96120

Following is a sample letter which you may wish to use as a guideline:

Brian Peters

Planning Director, Alpine County

Dear Brian,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed ordinance which would regulate short term rentals in Alpine County.  This ordinance would not increase rental opportunities, it would restrict them and add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.  The short term rental market is vitally important to the economy of Bear Valley and regulating short term rentals would be burdensome, expensive and harmful to the community.  Many of the requirements of the proposal are already covered by existing codes, laws and regulations, including limits on noise, parking and the regular removal of trash.  This proposal is totally unnecesscary and I urge you to reconsider your support for the short term rental ordinance. 

Yours truly,