Planning and Land Use Management Committee - 2026-03-24

Approved city planning commission report and requested city attorney prepare draft ordinance clarifying that stays of 30 days or less in any dwelling unit, guest room, or suite in any dwelling and apartment house are only allowed when expressly permitted by the zoning code. This responds to the Venice Suites LLC court decision to prevent erroneous vested rights claims by illegal short-term rental operators.

Approved finding that the project analyzed in the Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted on February 3, 2026 and adopted draft zone change ordinance with T and Q conditions and project findings.

Approved extending the 18-month plan check expiration period to give applicants more time to complete reviews. This is a building code amendment giving flexibility to projects on the building side of review, particularly those with financing challenges.

Approved motion to implement SB 346, which gives the city ability to audit short-term rental operations and legally obtain specific STR addresses from platforms for enforcement purposes.

Approved motion to strengthen enforcement of the home sharing ordinance and short-term rental laws to protect neighborhoods and housing stock.

Approved fiscal year 25-26 interim budget request for transfer of zoning review from Building and Safety to Planning, including: over-the-counter plan check capability, zoning information center staffing (one architect, one architectural associate, two city planning associates for four months at $180,329), and overtime allocation with licensing/software/equipment. Funded by Building and Safety Permit Fund 48R with no general fund impact.