Re “Residents of unincorporated areas continue to push for short-term rental regulations” (July 5): The surge of whole-home short-term rentals (STRs) in unincorporated San Diego County repeats the damage seen in Mission Beach and city neighborhoods. While proponents dismiss issues as mere “bad apples,” the real harm is cultural: communities hollowed out, longtime residents priced out and vibrant neighborhoods turned into seasonal ghost towns flooded by tourists three months a year. This pattern now threatens mountain and desert towns like Julian and Borrego Springs. Residents bear the cost as homes convert to STRs, yet face uphill battles for majority votes against organized investor and platform interests. The city and county should ban whole-home short-term rentals as low-hanging fruit to ease housing pressure and preserve community character.
— Gary Wonacott, San Diego