Resident urges council to loosen 30-day rule on short‑term rentals

Jerry Sunderland, a Sunset resident, used the public‑comment period at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to urge the council to reconsider a city ordinance that sets a 30‑day minimum for short‑term rentals.

Sunderland told the council he has hosted on Airbnb in Sunset for about 10 years and described his listing as owner‑occupied. “The 30‑day minimum … typically doesn’t work for people that use Airbnb,” he said. Sunderland said his guests are usually travelers or visitors staying a few nights, and he said his short‑term hosting provides income for a member of his household who otherwise would not work.

Why it matters: The city’s ordinance limiting short‑term rentals to 30‑day minimum stays governs whether homeowner hosts who rent rooms or units for a few nights can legally operate; changing the rule would affect property owners, neighbors and local lodging markets.

What the resident told the council: Sunderland said his listing accepts pets and has a backyard, which motivated a five‑night reservation currently in place. He said his operation is owner‑occupied and hands‑on: “Our listing is owner occupied, meaning that we live on the premises. We’re there all the time. We’re directly involved with the hosting.” He also said his household gains material benefit from hosting, explaining a household member uses Airbnb income to avoid outside employment.

Council response: The council did not take action on the topic during the meeting. No staff report or ordinance amendment was introduced. The matter was raised during public comment only; staff or council members did not state a timetable for further review.

Context and next steps: Sunderland urged the council to “think about this and see if it’s a possibility that you would open it up to less than 30 days.” Any change to the ordinance would require a formal staff proposal and a council vote; as of this meeting no such proposal was presented.