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Whittier council introduces first reading of amended short‑term rental ordinance with new limits and fire‑zone ban
Summary
On Jan. 13 the Whittier City Council introduced (first reading) an amended short‑term rental ordinance that adds a two‑night minimum, caps three STRs per owner, requires 500‑foot buffers between STRs, and prohibits STRs in very‑high and high fire‑risk zones; final adoption and implementation steps remain.
The Whittier City Council on Jan. 13 introduced and conducted the first reading of an amended ordinance (Ordinance No. 3175) to regulate short‑term rentals (Zoning Code Amendment ZCA24‑0003), moving several operational limits and enforcement provisions forward for later adoption.
The measure, presented by Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development, would add a two‑night minimum stay, cap owners at three short‑term rentals, require a 500‑foot buffer between STRs, and bar STRs in areas mapped as very high or high fire zones. The council also directed that parking for STRs be enforced consistent with the requirements of the underlying zone. The introduction vote included adoption of Resolution No. 2026‑05A to amend the FY 2025‑26 budget to reflect forecasted STR revenues and expenditures.
Why it matters: the rules are intended to balance neighborhood concerns about quality of life, parking and neighborhood character with potential municipal revenue from short‑term rental activity. Prohibiting STRs in high fire‑risk areas reflects a public‑safety consideration the council cited during discussion.
Council action and votes: Mayor Pro Tem Octavio Martinez moved to include a two‑night minimum; that motion carried 4‑1, with Council Member Cathy Warner dissenting. Council Member Cathy Warner moved to allow three STRs per owner; the motion passed 3‑2, with Council Members Mary Ann Pacheco and Fernando Dutra dissenting. Council Member Mary Ann Pacheco moved to require a 500‑foot buffer between STRs; that motion passed 3‑2, with Mayor Joseph A. Vinatieri and Council Member Warner dissenting. Because Council Member Warner resides in a high fire zone she recused herself from the fire‑zone vote; Mayor Pro Tem Martinez moved to prohibit STRs in very high and high Fire Zone areas and the motion passed 4‑0‑1 (Warner abstaining). A motion to require parking as required in the underlying zoning carried 4‑1 (Warner dissenting). Finally, Council Member Pacheco moved, and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded, to introduce and conduct the first reading of the amended ordinance and adopt the related budget resolution; that motion carried 4‑0‑1, with Council Member Warner abstaining.
Public input and staff responses: the council heard multiple in‑person and one teleconference commenter during the public hearing; the transcript lists commenter names and indicates all submissions are on file with the City Clerk. During council Q&A, staff and legal counsel addressed questions about parking requirements, differences between accessory dwelling units and STRs under state law, enforcement and permitting, grandfathering existing STRs and the ability to amend the ordinance.
Next steps: the council introduced the ordinance and must complete any additional readings or formal adoption steps required by municipal code before the changes take effect. The budget amendment tied to forecast STR revenues was approved as part of the introduction motion; the timeline for implementation and enforcement details will be set by staff and subsequent council action.
