Joshua tree anti-Airbnb petition...

[Justin195]

There’s a sad movement taking place in Joshua tree California which is anti-Airbnb anti-travelers anti-out of towners and now it has spilled over into a petition to the county to impose unnecessary and overbearing restrictions on hosts.  This is after a near $600 permit fee, inspection ans 7% tax they collect.  

As a long time Superhost and former Airbnb Expert I wish there was a local/regional rep that would take a proactive approach on educating the community of the benefits of Airbnb to a neighborhood.  Sign me up if it’s available! 🙂

Read and view the petition below:

This just started yesterday. A petition for:

“Moratorium and Regulating of Short Term Rentals in Joshua Tree, California

Breana V started this petition to San Bernardino Code Enforcement and 6 others

MORATORIUM and REGULATIONS PETITION on SHORT TERM RENTALS FOR JOSHUA TREE, CA.

The Residents of Joshua Tree are standing together to Save our Housing Market and Local Neighborhoods from the current invasion of Short Term Vacation Rentals (STRs) & AirBnB. There is a Housing crises in the Town of Joshua Tree (JT) due in part to a LACK of Strict Regulations in the permitting of STRs.

JT & Local Community Residents are requesting a TEMPORARY MORATORIUM be placed IMMEDIATELY on issuance of ALL NEW AND RENEWABLE applications for STR permits until a review of out-of-town vs. local ownership and #STR permits issued per owner can be discussed with input from the public. What was once a simple request from locals to rent out their residence or casita has apparently opened the floodgates to outside investors.

The influx of 'out-of-towners' buying property in Joshua Tree to convert to AirBnB has skyrocketed resulted in devastating consequences for Residents, IT MUST END NOW!!!

By current estimates, Town of JT has close to 1,000 STR's in a town of apx. 3,100 single-family homes (2021 census). Now landlords are evicting long-term residents to convert to STR's. The local "Glamping trend" has forced a once affordable rental market into non-existence because housing costs have sky-rocketed due to hi-demand.

We are requesting a Phase Out of renewals & roll back of #STR permits allowed in excess of what is deemed a reasonable amount per neighborhood like our neighboring cities and towns have already implemented.

The Housing Crisis Act (SB330), should not benefit creation of STRs, an STR will not help our community meet it's long-term housing goals or increase California's affordable housing supply.

SB 330 will not create more housing if STR's are allowed to proliferate uncontrolled. Our Countys' allowance of a Singe Family Residence (SFR) and an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) to be permitted separately for 2+ acres serves to exasperate our complaints. In September 2019, County Ordinance amending Title 8 Land Use to allow for permitting of STR. Land Use Code was changed to allow for Residential use of land to be for something it was never meant to be used for.

Land Use Code modifications and Ordinances to allow STR expansion should not bypass local housings' critical needs!

We suggest a Cap be placed on STR Permits at a reasonable limit to allow for adequate supply and a balance of Affordable Housing, and Long-Term Rentals to catch up.

We agree with 29Palms petition stating: "There can be no alternative to limits..." on STR, Vacation Rentals, and AirBnB's.

Local Residents, Business owners, and Employees, etc. would like to see the following modifications pertaining to Issuance or Renewal of STR-Short Term Rental permits in the Town of Joshua Tree:

LIMIT #STR PERMITS PER OWNER - STR CONCENTRATION LIMITS - Limits per area, preferences given to owner occupied residents. There needs to be a cap on the amount of Airbnbs one person can own.

EXPAND NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATION - Current 300ft. perimeter insufficient.

Application requests should be posted publicly no less than 30 days with right to appeal BEFORE permit can be issued.

MINIMUM 2 NIGHT STAY - INSURANCE REQUIRED

PERMIT NOT TRANSFERABLE -No survival in Title transfer.

TENANT EVICTION BAN - Long Term Rentals should not be converted to an STR without additional permit review (CUP). Landlords should not be able to remove long term renters to convert to a short term rental (Palm Springs ORD. 1918 5.25).

PERMIT NUMBERS DISPLAYED PUBLICALLY - residents should be aware of where each Airbnb are located by having a marker.

Occupancy should not be based upon Parcel size. Poor criteria allowing for increase of STR occupancy in Rural areas. Pop-up-camps, mini-hotels, and Yurt-villages are Commercial enterprises operating in Residential zones!

Continuous loud noise, trash, and illegal ORV riding, should not be allowed any time of day or night as it disturbs the Residents, Guest Visitors, and the wildlife!

We are calling on our elected leaders to pass Legislation to Prohibit unregulated permitting of STR's in neighborhoods where Housing Affordability is Limited. We are calling you, as our leaders and representatives to prohibit unregulated and overpopulated STR's in Joshua Tree, CA where housing affordability and long term rentals are non-existent.

We are asking not only to validate & accept verifiable signatures from Residents of JT but also those of surrounding areas in the Morongo Basin as they are also directly affected by these issues when they travel through, work in, visit, or have family in the Town of Joshua Tree, CA.

https://www.change.org/p/san-bernardino-code-enforcement-moratorium-and-regulating-of-short-term-ren...