Santa Rosa zoning administrator revokes non‑hosted short‑term rental permit at 2508 Rancho Cabeza Drive

The Santa Rosa zoning administrator revoked a non‑hosted short‑term rental permit for the property at 2508 Rancho Cabeza Drive on grounds of three verified code violations within a 12‑month period.

The action, adopted by resolution at the March hearing, follows city staff findings that the property received verified violations in February 2024, October 2024 and December 2024 for noncompliance with the city code and zoning code, including repeated improper placement of receptacles (trash cans). The zoning administrator’s decision is final unless an appeal is filed with the City Clerk’s Office within 10 calendar days; for this item the appeal deadline was listed as March 17, 2025.

Jessica Jones, deputy director of planning, told the zoning administrator that the original non‑hosted short‑term rental permit was issued in March 2023 and renewed in June 2024; the renewal permit was valid through March 2025. Jones summarized the staff recommendation: because the property had three verified violations within a consecutive 12‑month period, “it is recommended by the planning and economic development department that the zoning administrator by resolution revoke the non hosted short term rental permits for the property located at 2508 Rancho Cabeza Drive.”

Neighbors who spoke during the public comment period described recurring noise, parties and parking congestion. Peter Warburg, who said he and his wife live adjacent to the property, said, “There’s parties going on. … I firmly believe that in no unhosted business should be allowed in any residential neighborhood.” Erica Lipanovich, who said she lives nearby with her husband and two children, described frequent turnover of guests and repeated complaints: “I would call and stay, and I would tell them, hey. It’s me again. Hi. You know, you guys gotta talk to your folks because if you’re allowing this to continue, they’re gonna revoke your permit.”

Luke Kirk, assistant chief building official, described the city’s code enforcement response and recordkeeping: “Under the short term rental program, we have an officer on call 247. When we get a call, we respond. We’re usually there within half an hour, 45 minutes at the outside.” Kirk said staff verifies complaints, issues citations where appropriate and communicates verified strikes to planning; strikes older than 12 months drop off the record.

Jones also answered a question on whether a new non‑hosted permit could be issued for the property after revocation, saying the code bars the same owner from reapplying following revocation and that the city was not accepting new non‑hosted rental applications, so the city’s cap on non‑hosted permits will shrink over time unless the City Council amends the ordinance through a public process.

The zoning administrator adopted the staff resolution to revoke the permit. The planning and economic development department recorded three emails in support of revocation as late correspondence to the record. The revocation may be appealed to the appropriate body per the zoning code appeal procedures.