DEL MAR, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of Del Mar officially approved a short-term rental ordinance Monday evening. After years of discussion, now the policy just needs the Coastal Commission’s approval.
The ordinance is overall well-received by the community, but the main concerns boil down to the relatively small number allowed and a restriction for any future short-term rentals.
“I’m a little disenchanted at the fact that we only have 129 units. That’s a pretty slim cap,” said Kimberly Jackson, owner of Vacation Rentals by Kimberly.
The ordinance allows roughly 5% of the city’s total dwelling units to be set aside for short term stays.
City of Del Mar introduces short-term rental ordinance
Jackson points out the city already has limited supply, being under a short term rental moratorium since April 2016.
There will be some wiggle room in that number at first to include any existing short term rentals.
“They are planning to grandfather in any that are existing already in operation, but they need to come to the table with other statistics before December 31, 2024. So anybody who has a vacation rental that is not already registered with the city of Del Mar needs to get in action,” said Jackson.
In the future, as rentals come and go, if that number ever goes below 129 the next rule really affects any new applicants.
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The ordinance states the operator will need to live in the short-term rental at least six months out of the year.
“Which completely changes the landscape of vacation rentals. Vacation rentals are second homes. They’re not primary residences, but the city of Del Mar is requiring that you allocate that home as a primary residence,” said Jackson.
Other regulations include a minimum consecutive three-night stay and the payment of transient occupancy tax, which sits at 13% in Del Mar.
City staff shared a commitment to give annual updates on the ordinance and the ability to make changes in the future, but some residents have their doubts.
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While the ordinance passed 4-to-1, Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland also shared some of the residents’ concerns and chose to vote no.
“Simply to memorialize that this isn’t perfect yet,” said Gaasterland.
The Coastal Commission’s final approval is expected to happen by December 2025, however as a reminder anyone wanting to operate a short-term rental in Del Mar needs to register with the city by December 31 of this year.
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