This sounds like a solution looking for a problem.<\/p>\n
Bakersfield City Council committee members, who are proposing to crack down on short-term rentals, admit they have received few citizen complaints about the rentals.<\/p>\n
But that hasn\u2019t stopped them from instructing city staff to draft an ordinance to create a focused regulatory program.<\/p>\n
Allowing that regulating short-term rentals is not a pressing problem, Councilman Bob Smith told The Californian, \u201cWe believe, it\u2019s a better way to police the situation and that there is tax revenue from it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head-scratcher \u2014 Police a situation that seems to exist without seeming to need more policing?<\/p>\n
Short-term rentals are dwellings rented out for a day, week, etc., in much the same way as a hotel room is \u201crented out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Often renting is coordinated by firms, such as Airbnb, Vacation Rentals By Owners, etc. Sometimes, individual property owners \u201cdo their own thing\u201d \u2014 rent out rooms or houses without management company help.<\/p>\n
Short-term rentals are in high demand in tourist destinations, but not so much in Bakersfield, which is not generally considered a tourist magnet. City staff estimates there may be about 500 short-term rentals operating in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
In some cities, short-term rentals have caused friction between neighbors and rental property owners. Complaints have included noise, parking, trash and general disruptions. Smith acknowledges this is not the case in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
The short-term rental industry is highly regulated throughout the state \u2014 even in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
State law defines short-term rentals as any residential property rented to an individual or group for 30 consecutive days or less.<\/p>\n
All short-term rental operators in California must register with the state Department of Tax and Fee Administration and collect Transient Occupancy Tax from guests. That tax is 12% in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
Short-term rental operators in Bakersfield already are subject to local regulations that include registering with the city, having a city business license, obtaining a fire safety permit, proving property ownership, maintaining adequate insurance, providing contact information and guest registries, complying with occupancy limits and parking plans, and registering to collect and remit to the city Transient Occupancy Tax.<\/p>\n
Among the city departments overseeing compliance are Development Services, Finance and Fire. The Police Department and Code Enforcement respond to complaints.<\/p>\n