2024-2025 Responses to Orange County Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations “Long-Term Solutions to Short-Term Rentals”
Exhibit 2
Finding City Position
(1 or 2)*
Response to Finding
F1: Despite the increasing media coverage of Online
Booking Agencies (OBAs), STRs are not a new
phenomenon in Orange County.
1 Although STRs are not a new phenomenon in Orange County, the City of Santa Ana has seen a significant rise of STRs within the last three years, likely attributed to a growth in tourism following the global Covid-19 pandemic and the growth of Online Booking Agencies (OBAs).
F2: The steady growth of STR usage in the last decade
raises concerns of potential public nuisance.
1 The steady growth of STRs in Santa Ana has raised concerns of public nuisance and community disruption. These include:
•Loud music and disruptive gatherings
•Illegal parking of vehicles
•Trash accumulation and lack of waste management
These nuisances have resulted in adverse impacts on residential neighborhoods, challenging the City’s efforts to preserve quality of life and neighborhood integrity.
F3: Even with robust Code Enforcement, a city’s
statutory ban on STRs is not enough to keep STRs
from operating.
2 The City’s Code Enforcement staff has the ability to receive, investigate, and issue the required citations to a property owner in violation of the City’s statutory ban on STRs. However, despite a statutory ban on STRs, enforcement remains a persistent challenge.
Many STRs continue to operate covertly, often changing listings or locations to evade detection.
Santa Ana’s Code Enforcement team remains committed to
addressing violations. The City’s Code Enforcement staff is equipped to:
•Receive and investigate complaints
•Identify violators
•Issue citations to property owners operating illegal STRs While enforcement is ongoing, it is limited by the evolving and decentralized nature of online rental platforms.
2024-2025 Responses to Orange County Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations “Long-Term Solutions to Short-Term Rentals”
Exhibit 2
Finding City Position
(1 or 2)*
Response to Finding
F12: City leaders have no regular communication with
each other concerning STR issues, limiting
opportunities to develop strategies and expertise to
improve service.
2 Effective STR management requires continuous communication and collaboration. Although previously cited as lacking regular coordination, City staff and the City Attorney’s Office now meet frequently to discuss STR-related issues and develop strategies to improve service and enforcement effectiveness. Continued collaboration with the Santa Ana Police Department for calls for service and enforcement inspections is an essential component of this collaborative climate.
*For the purposes of this Orange County Grand Jury Report, City Position 1 indicates that the respondent agrees with the finding, and City Position 2 indicates that the respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding. 2024-2025 Responses to Orange County Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations “Long-Term Solutions to Short-Term Rentals”
Exhibit 2
Recommendation City Position
(1, 2, 3, or
4)*
Response to Recommendation
R1: Cities should review and begin to update
ordinances to keep up with the rapidly changing
nature of court findings and legislation related to
STRs, by December 31, 2025, and no less frequently
than every three years thereafter.
1 The City of Santa Ana updated its municipal code on December 3, 2024, as it relates to STRs. Moreover, the Planning Division is currently comprehensively updating the City’s zoning code, which will include consistency with the latest state and federal laws, as well as court rulings. Completion of the comprehensive update to the zoning code is expected to occur fall 2025. These updates demonstrate the City’s proactive approach to maintaining a legally sound regulatory framework.
R2: Cities should consider developing a plan for
upcoming major events that are expected to create a
surge in demand for STRs and its associated Transient
Occupancy Tax, by December 31, 2025, and no less
frequently than every two years thereafter.
1 The City’s Planning Division recommends updates to its zoning code for Planning Commission and City Council consideration on a yearly basis to address changes to state and federal law, and any court ruling affecting land use. The City does not permit STRs within its jurisdiction, so there is no need to develop a strategy to address surge in demand. If the policy direction related to STRs changes, the City will develop a robust inter-agency team to create a regulatory framework to permit and tax such a use.
R9: City leaders should have regular discussions with
each other to share STR management strategies on a
biannual basis commencing no later than January 1,
2026.
1 City staff, along with the City Attorney’s Office, will continue to have regular discussions to share STR management strategies. This collaboration also includes input from the Santa Ana Police Department.
*For the purposes of this Orange County Grand Jury Report, City Position 1 indicates the recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; City Position 2 indicates the recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation; City Position 3 indicates the recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable (timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report); and City Position 4 indicates the recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor.