BACKGROUND:
On September 9, 2020, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing new regulations and restrictions regarding short-term vacation rentals and a companion fee resolution, increasing the STVR permit fee to $1,950 and establishing a home share permit with a permit fee of $525 to provide the additional resources necessary for a STVR Licensing and Enforcement Program (STVR Program).
The STVR Program included six (6) limited term employees. An analyst was assigned within the Code Compliance Division and one (1) administrative position and four (4) STVR compliance officers were assigned to the Police Department. The STVR compliance officers were placed on duty seven (7) days a week, 24 hours a day beginning November 13, 2020. An update on the effectiveness of the STVR Program was provided to Council in a study session report on January 12, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The STVR Program has been effective in managing STVRs and addressing the community impacts associated with them. As a result, the number of STVR complaints has progressively reduced since the STVR Program was established and the number of STVR permits in non-HOA neighborhoods has declined with aggressive enforcement of problem properties and as the phase out date approaches, January 1, 2023.
To maintain an efficient and effective STVR Program, the Police Department and Code Compliance Division have worked together to evaluate the current and future needs of both departments and the STVR Program. To better serve the community, the administrative position and three (3) STVR officers will be transitioned to the Code Compliance Division with one position remaining within the Police Department.
The integration of STVR enforcement into the Code Compliance Division provides benefits to both departments. STVR enforcement will remain a high priority and continued evening response to 2:00 am will be provided (Police will respond from 2:00 am – 7:00 am). However, the STVR officers will be cross-trained to expand Code Compliance services to seven days a week and address emerging issues such as illegal street vendors, weekend only concerns such as unpermitted construction and night-time commercial vehicle parking enforcement.
The STVR officer position remaining with the Police Department will be converted to a Community Service Officer. This position is another step in the continued effort to have non-sworn personnel address the many service calls and needs that don’t require a sworn police officer, allowing police officers and other resources to be deployed more efficiently. The Police Department will remain available to provide assistance with STVR complaints.
In summary, the integrated approach to Municipal Code enforcement, including STVR enforcement, provides the following benefits:
Police Department
•Allows sworn police offers to focus on crime prevention and reduction efforts oContinue to assist with STVR complaints
oContinue to respond to code compliance requests for assistance Code Compliance
•Provides additional code compliance resources
•Integrates into the restructuring of the Department to meet Council goals oProactive enforcement program
oCase assignments
•Initial benefits include
o7-day presence of code compliance officers in the community oProactive commercial vehicle enforcement
oFollow up on complaints occurring after hours
oProactive enforcement of unlicensed vendors and unpermitted construction complaints
•STVR Program
oOne comprehensive team
oContinued response to active complaints
oProactive efforts on unlicensed STVR properties
oExpand and standardize enforcement of STVR regulations oAdditional resources when necessary
FISCAL IMPACT:
Although there may be minimal initial costs related to workspace, computers and uniforms, there will be no fiscal impact to the General Fund. Currently, there are no additional fiscal impacts to the Equipment Replacement Fund for vehicle needs as they will be covered with existing resources.