City Council Approves Response to Orange County Grand Jury Report on Short Term Rentals

The Laguna Woods Regular City Council meeting held on July 16, 2025, focused on several key issues, including a response to the Orange County Grand Jury report regarding short-term rentals and updates from council members on various regional boards.

The meeting commenced with a staff recommendation to approve a response to the 2024-2025 Orange County Grand Jury report, which addressed long-term solutions to short-term rentals. The council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the response and directed the city manager to submit it as required by law. Following this, the public was invited to comment on the topic of short-term rentals, but no comments were received, leading to the closure of this segment.

Council members engaged in a discussion about the existing regulations on short-term rentals, particularly concerning the minimum rental period stipulated in the community's CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions). Questions arose regarding the San Sebastian apartment complex and its rental policies, with clarification provided that the complex prohibits short-term rentals.

Further discussion highlighted the necessity of short-term accommodations at the Towers, where families often stay for brief periods. Council members expressed support for this service, noting its importance for families visiting residents.

The council then moved to vote on the recommended action regarding the Grand Jury report response, which was unanimously approved.

In the latter part of the meeting, council members provided reports on their activities, including a report from Mayor Pro Tem Bakari on the Coastal Greenbelt Authority's recent meeting, which included a comprehensive update from Orange County Parks.

Overall, the meeting addressed significant local governance issues, particularly the management of short-term rentals, and facilitated communication among council members regarding their ongoing commitments to regional initiatives.