Carmel Valley residents talk short term rentals with county officials

The short term rental debate raged on Monday in Carmel Valley where residents and county officials came together.

The county is working on developing new rules.

The hearing was hosted by the Carmel Valley Land use advisory committee.

Those in support and against short term rentals both showed up to try and sway county leaders.

“There are many, many people in Carmel Valley that do not want [short term rentals] at all,” said Eric Sand, acting chairman with the Carmel Valley Association land use committee.

So far, the county’s new rules would define a short term rental as thirty days or fewer but, regardless of the definition, some people just think they bring problems.

“They park in neighbors driveways, they block the driveway, they’re noisy, they sometimes show up after they’ve been drinking and they knock on the wrong doors,” Sand said.

To others, it’s a way to make some needed money, to afford rising housing costs.

“There’s a lot more going on here then just Airbnb trying to make money,” said one resident, “It’s families trying to stay here because it’s gotten so overpriced, you know, we can hardly make it.”

The county representative at the meeting says that right now, most short term rentals are operating without the proper permits.

“We have currently, in Monterey County, in all the inland areas about 20 permitted short term rentals under the current coordinates,” said Melanie Beretti, Special Programs Manager, with the Resource Management Agency

Though opinions varied, the county says it’s just doing its best to address the needs of each community.

“We’re at the point where we want to start this county-wide framework and then, where appropriate, in this case for Carmel Valley, make specific modifications to fit into the local area plan which has been adopted for Carmel Valley,” Beretti said.

With the input received Monday, county staff hopes to bring the new draft ordinance to the planning commission by late May.