Dunsmuir council introduces ordinance to allow short‑term rentals as permitted uses, trims parking rules

Mayor Lucchese and council introduced Ordinance 585, which would amend multiple sections of Title 17 of the Dunsmuir Municipal Code to allow short‑term rentals as permitted uses in zones that permit residential uses and to reduce parking requirements in the Town Center (TC) and Mixed Use 3 (MU‑3) districts.

Staff explained the change began after a prior planner identified that the code labeled short‑term rentals as 'accessory' while in practice they functioned as permitted uses; staff took that interpretation to the planning commission and proposed the code amendments. "So, again, overarching thing is use of short term rentals going from accessory to permitted," the staff member said, noting the packet includes a zoning map on page 83 showing the affected zones. Council member Bridal moved to introduce the ordinance and Mayor Lucchese sought a friendly amendment to find the proposal exempt from CEQA under the general‑rule exemption; the amendment was accepted.

During discussion staff said the parking changes largely revert to prior rules that tied parking to unit size—for example, one space per unit and additional spaces for larger units—and that the MU‑3 zone should be included in the Town Center parking standard. The council voted to introduce the ordinance and to schedule a second reading for the May 21, 2026 meeting. The motion to introduce was seconded and carried on a roll call of council members who recorded 'aye.'