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Whittier City Council approves first reading of short‑term rental ordinance, limits STRs to two per property
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Whittier City Council introduced Ordinance No. 3175 (ZCA24‑0003) to regulate short‑term rentals, setting a two‑STR limit per property, a 300‑foot buffer, and a minimum of one off‑street parking space per STR; the motion passed 4–1, with Council Member Mary Ann Pacheco dissenting.
The Whittier City Council introduced and conducted the first reading of Ordinance No. 3175 (ZCA24‑0003) on Feb. 10, 2026, a zoning code amendment to regulate short‑term rentals (STRs) in the city.
Director of Community Development Ben Pongetti presented the ordinance and staff recommendation. City Manager Conal McNamara and City Attorney Keith Collins answered council questions about CEQA applicability, grandfathering of existing rentals, enforcement mechanisms, whether ADUs or JADUs operating as STRs would be treated differently, and prohibitions in high and very high fire hazard zones. The staff report states the amendment is exempt from CEQA under sections 15061(b)(3), 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3).
Dozens of residents provided public comment during the hearing; the record identifies multiple live speakers and one teleconference commenter. City Attorney Collins advised that time for public commenters could not be shared among speakers and clarified recusal rules for conflicted council members.
During deliberations the council reached majority consensus on three principal policy settings: limiting STRs to two per property or parcel; establishing a 300‑foot buffer distance between permitted STRs; and requiring a minimum of one off‑street parking space per STR. Council Member Cathy Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Octavio Martinez seconded the motion to introduce and conduct the first reading of the amended ordinance. The motion carried 4–1, with Council Member Mary Ann Pacheco dissenting.
The ordinance was introduced for first reading; the record does not specify a date for a second reading or final adoption.
