Calistoga planning commission adopts ordinance to codify ban, boost enforcement of short-term rentals

The Calistoga Planning Commission on Oct. 8 adopted an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Calistoga Municipal Code to add Chapter 17.34, explicitly prohibiting short-term rentals (defined in the draft as stays under 30 days) and creating enforcement tools including administrative citations.

The change, approved unanimously, adds definitions for “short-term rental,” “hosting platform,” “booking transaction,” “operator” and “dwelling unit,” and authorizes administrative fines starting at $1,000 per violation with stepped increases for repeat offenses. The ordinance also includes a 50% fine increase when a violation is found to cause a public health or safety disruption.

Planning and Building Director Lauren said the ordinance is “the first step that the city is taking to address the situation,” and described enforcement as initially staff-driven while the city evaluates whether to hire a consulting firm or purchase software to assist enforcement. “I think initially it will be a staff driven, abatement process,” she said.

A public commenter raised opposition to the ban, saying “there’s a faction of our citizens that are not in favor of this action” and asking that the city improve communication about enforcement and examples of public-health impacts used to trigger higher fines.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement mechanics and how fines would be used. Lauren said fines would likely go to the city’s general fund unless the City Council designates a different account; she also said enforcement methods are under discussion and that staff have not yet been directed to purchase specialized enforcement software.

The ordinance specifies that a determination that a violation has caused a public-health-or-safety disruption will be made by a combination of officials: the building official, the fire department, the police department, the city manager and the planning and building director.

Chair Wilks complimented staff for clarifying long-standing language in the code, saying the update “cleans up” provisions that have been ambiguous for years. Several commissioners urged targeted outreach to property owners known to be operating unpermitted short-term rentals so they understand the new enforcement posture.

The commission’s vote sends the ordinance forward as adopted by the Planning Commission; any use of fines or enforcement mechanics that require appropriation or separate policy would be addressed by the City Council or in future staff reports.

The measure is intended to strengthen compliance with the city’s existing prohibition on transient occupancy of dwelling units and to provide clearer, more administrable tools for abatement.