Council directs staff to seek technology solutions to detect illegal short-term rentals

Calistoga — The City Council on Feb. 25 asked staff to pursue requests for proposals (RFPs) for technology used by other jurisdictions to detect illegal short-term rentals (STRs) and support enforcement.

Planning Director Greg Desmond explained that Calistoga’s municipal code prohibits short-term rentals, but that staff has observed a resurgence of STR listings and that enforcement takes significant staff time. He noted that private vendors and software products can scan listing platforms and flag live or upcoming reservations and historical listings for potential enforcement action.

Council members supported pursuing technology options and directed staff to return with pricing, scope and procurement recommendations. Council member McKee referenced industry vendors and said the county and other cities use software tools; Council member Giff said one vendor quoted roughly $5,000 per year in an example he had seen and argued the cost would be recoverable through enforcement and fines. Council members also asked staff to consider whether the city’s municipal code should be amended to increase penalties and to confirm whether retroactive tax collection (up to three years) would be available where evidence supports it.

Why it matters: Short-term rentals can reduce long-term housing supply and create neighborhood impacts; staff said identifying illegal listings is time-consuming without automated tools.

What’s next: Staff will prepare an RFP and return with vendor options, cost estimates, and recommended ordinance changes to support enforcement.