On September 5, the Del Mar City Council approved the creation of a voluntary short-term rental registry, a crucial step in understanding the scope of short-term rental operations in the area. According to the Del Mar official website, the registry aims to collect essential data that will inform the policy-making process around new regulations for short-term rentals. City staff is currently developing the registry procedure and web portal, with a launch expected next week on Del Mar's website.
Property owners who have operated a short-term rental within the past 10 years are encouraged to register before December 5. Registrants will need to provide details such as the property address and executed rental agreements as evidence that the property has been functioning as a short-term rental. Owners are also encouraged to share information about the rental units such as the number of bedrooms.
The data collected through the registry will serve a purely informational purpose, and will not be utilized for code enforcement. With short-term rentals becoming a priority for the Del Mar City Council during the 2023-24 period, this registry will help establish a foundation for new policies and regulations.
During the September 5 meeting, the council made several additional decisions that will contribute to shaping future regulations on short-term rentals. Among these is the addition of a 12th "guiding principle", which states the council's intention to work towards a solution that meets Del Mar's needs while complying with the Coastal Commission's requirements. Furthermore, the council received additional data, showing that short-term rental units listed in June 2023 comprised 4.9% of the total dwelling units in Del Mar, a significant figure that further demonstrates the need for regulation.
The council also reviewed a report from the City Attorney summarizing Coastal Commission and court actions related to short-term rentals. To gain a deeper understanding and work on drafting a suitable ordinance, the council identified 17 California jurisdictions to include in a staff analysis of short-term rental policies. Among these jurisdictions are local cities such as Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Diego, and Solana Beach, as well as other cities including Avalon, Carmel, Carpinteria, Dana Point, Half Moon Bay, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, Pismo Beach, San Clemente, Santa Cruz, and Trinidad.
As reported by Del Mar, staff is expected to return to the City Council with the analysis and related business on October 2. Following this step, the preparation of a draft ordinance and Local Coastal Program Amendment will take place, along with the necessary environmental review, Planning Commission and City Council hearings, and ultimately, adoption of the ordinance for certification by the Coastal Commission.
