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Santa Monica staff say short‑term rental rules, some construction activity suspended after Palisades fires
Summary
At the Jan. 15 Planning Commission meeting, city planning staff updated commissioners on a City Council proclamation of emergency that temporarily suspends enforcement of short‑term rental and certain leasing rules, allows some hotel stays over 30 days, and halts construction activity in evacuation warning/order areas north of San Vicente.
Acting Planning Director told the Planning Commission on Jan. 15 that the City Council has ratified a proclamation of emergency and an emergency order related to recent fires, and that "enforcement of short term rentals and residential leasing regulations have been temporarily suspended." The order, the director said, also allows "hotel stays for more than 30 days" and temporarily suspends building permits and construction activity inside evacuation warning and order areas "which really is just North of San Vicente at this point."
The director said the revised order adds that "the rentals must be to natural persons, that are displaced because of the fire and you cannot rent more than 1 unit, in Santa Monica." When a commissioner asked whether the suspension applied to permit processing or active construction, staff clarified: "No. It's it's actually permits that have been issued. So it's actually, not explaining that well. It's construction activity. So the permits have been issued and construction activity is prohibited, in those areas."
Staff also said the city is monitoring and enforcing price‑gouging complaints in coordination with consumer protection, urging residents to report suspected price gouging to the city's consumer protection unit. On housing priority, staff noted existing rules that give priority for below‑market housing to people employed in the city at more than 25 hours per week; staff said they are not the experts on every eligibility detail but that the priority list (BH list) is available to displaced employees who qualify.
Commissioners discussed concerns about vacancy, condo conversions and tenant protections during emergencies. Staff emphasized that the temporary suspension of certain leasing rules "doesn't mean that tenant protections just cause, evictions. Like all all of those protections are still in place. None none of those have been, removed." Commissioners also asked how long the prohibitions will stand; staff said the restrictions last for the duration of the council's proclamation of emergency and would lift if evacuation warnings/orders are rescinded.
The report also included two administrative items: staff said the Feb. 5 meeting will be canceled and eligible items moved to Feb. 19, and commissioners briefly approved a consent calendar amendment (separately recorded).
The Planning Commission did not take new land‑use policy action under this report; staff presented the council's emergency measures and fielded questions about scope, duration and enforcement. The city will provide additional details and guidance as the emergency proclamation and any related council actions evolve.
