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Whittier council adopts policy direction for short‑term rental ordinance after hourslong public hearing
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with roughly two dozen speakers, the Whittier City Council voted to set policy parameters for a short‑term rental ordinance and introduced ordinance 31‑75 (ZCA 24‑003) at first reading, including a 2‑night minimum, up to three STRs per owner, a 500‑foot buffer, and a ban in high and very‑high fire severity zones.
The Whittier City Council on Jan. 13 set a series of policy choices for a short‑term rental ordinance and introduced ordinance 31‑75, the first reading of zoning code amendment ZCA 24‑003. Staff told the council the draft ordinance incorporated 13 best‑practice items and requested a $25,000 budget allocation to purchase monitoring software to help implement the rules.
Community Development staff member Pongetti summarized the ordinance’s key elements and said the planning commission had recommended a three‑night minimum but left policy discretion to the council. He told members the draft would require STR operators to obtain permits, collect transient occupancy tax and reside in Whittier to ensure local responsiveness to complaints.
Residents filled the council chambers for a two‑hour public hearing on the topic. Pierre Averon, speaking for Starlight Estates neighbors, urged the council to retain…
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