Council debates short‑term rental restrictions near schools; decides on monitoring and enforcement review
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Summary
Council members discussed a proposed buffer to ban short‑term rentals near schools after public concerns about a property listed near McGaw School; staff reported that state coastal jurisdiction limits the city's ability to add coastal‑zone bans, and the council asked police and staff to monitor complaints and report back in three months.
Seal Beach council members on June 23 debated whether to ban short‑term rentals (STRs) near schools after residents raised concerns about an STR advertised near McGaw School. The city did not adopt a new ban and instead directed staff to monitor complaints and enforcement for three months and return to council with a report.
Staff presented results of a review that found no coastal coastal‑zone cities with school setbacks comparable to the example list the community provided; staff noted the city’s existing prohibition on STRs applies outside the coastal zone but the California Coastal Commission limits local authority within the coastal zone. Councilman Cynical (as identified in the transcript) asked for a three‑month monitoring period to assess complaints and outreach effectiveness; the body agreed to a September report.
An attorney who identified himself as a local resident and the retained counsel for a property owner said he "found no empirical data" linking STR proximity to schools with predatory crime and cautioned that the Coastal Commission has historically restricted local limits on STRs in the coastal zone. He also said the listing at issue had been removed "almost immediately the next day after that initial meeting." The city confirmed the listing was removed.
Council debate centered on enforcement of existing ordinance versus creating a new zoning buffer. Several council members urged caution because an STR ban in the coastal zone could trigger mandatory review by the Coastal Commission and face legal challenges. One council member summarized the outcome: continue enforcement efforts, track calls for service and complaints, and report back in three months with findings and recommendations.
City police reported four calls for service related to the property in question, described as low‑level noise complaints and largely from a single reporting party. Staff said the city has 44 licensed STRs in the coastal zone and that unlicensed listings do appear occasionally; staff continues to work with platforms to remove unpermitted listings.
No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the council asked staff to continue enforcement and monitoring and return with a report in September.