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Loma Linda council introduces short‑term rental regulations, sets second reading for Aug. 11
Summary
Council introduced three ordinances to regulate short‑term rentals: permit/annual renewal program, operational standards, over‑concentration rule (1 per 300 lineal feet), occupancy limits (two per bedroom plus two), and fees (initial $540; annual $235). Staff estimated ~30 active STRs and projected first‑year revenue; second readings set for Aug. 11, 2026.
City planning staff presented a package of municipal code amendments on July 14 to establish a permitting and enforcement framework for short‑term rentals (STRs) in Loma Linda.
Gabriel, the city’s associate planner, told the council staff had identified approximately 30 active short‑term rental listings and recommended creating Chapter 5.26 to require an initial permit and annual renewal, compliance with the city’s noise and property‑maintenance rules, business license registration, and transient‑occupancy‑tax (TOT) collection. Gabriel said a permit could be revoked after two substantiated service calls involving sheriff, code enforcement, or fire.
Key proposed rules cited by staff: - Over‑concentration: limit of one short‑term rental per 300 lineal feet measured from property lines (an update from a prior 300‑foot radius approach). - Occupancy cap: two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons (children under 2 exempt). - Fees: an initial permitting fee of $540 and an annual renewal fee of $235 (staff said these amounts are aligned with the city’s updated fee schedule adopted November 2025).
Gabriel presented a first‑year revenue projection of about $93,398 (including permit fees, business-license fees, inspection fees and TOT). Council members asked whether the ~30‑property estimate was current and how enforcement and monitoring would work. Gabriel said the city is exploring software that tracks listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to identify active properties and improve enforcement efficiency.
Council discussion also touched on housing impacts. Staff said the city would monitor permit pulls over the first year and could return with data on whether STR permitting affected long‑term housing supply for students and other residents.
The council voted to introduce the three council bills on first reading and set the second readings for Aug. 11, 2026. Staff and the planning commission recommended the code amendment not be treated as a project under CEQA and the council approved introduction and scheduling by vote (motion carried).
