CC SR 20161018 01 - Short Term Vacation RentalsRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 10/18/2016
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report
on the City's enforcement of the prohibition of short-term rentals, including initiating a
Code Amendment to add language that bolsters the enforcement of the City's
prohibition of short-term rentals.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file an update report on the City's enforcement of the prohibition of
short-term rentals in the City;
(2) Direct Staff to continue working with the Planning Commission in preparing code
amendment language that further bolsters the enforcement of the City's
prohibition of short-term rentals; and,
(3) Direct the City Attorney to amend RPVMC Section 1.08.010(B) and Section 1.16
to increase the penalty fines to the maximum extent possible for the violation of
the City's prohibition of short-term rentals.
FISCAL IMPACT: As a result of a comprehensive code enforcement program to
address unpermitted short-term rentals, Staff anticipates that approximately $27,000 -
$30,000 (non -benefitted, maximum 950 work hours annually) would have to be
allocated for the annual salary of a part-time Code Enforcement Officer.
ORIGINATED BY: Octavio Silva, Associate Planner ".S,
REVIEWED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, Director of Community Development
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. RPVMC Chapter 9.24 "Law Enforcement Expended Caused by Unruly
Parties and Gatherings" (page A-1)
B. Public Comments received since September 20, 2016 (page B-1)
All previous Staff Reports, Meeting Minutes, and public comments on this topic can be
found on the City's website via the September 20, 2016, City Council Agenda at
http://www.rpvca.gov/772/City-Meeting-Video-and-Agendas
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
At the September 20, 2016, City Council meeting, the City Council affirmed that the
City's Development Code is a permissive code, in that if a land use is not specifically
identified as a permitted use, then it is to be considered as prohibited. In doing so, the
City Council determined that short-term rentals (a rental of less than 30 days) are
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prohibited within the City's Single -Family Residential Zoning Districts since they are not
enumerated as a permitted use. At the meeting, the City Council directed Staff to return
with any necessary processes, code amendment language updates, or code
enforcement steps to enforce the ban.
Enforcement of the City's Prohibition of Short Term Rentals
Soon after the September 20, 2016, City Council meeting, the City's Code Enforcement
Division began to enforce the prohibition, as summarized below:
1. Cease and Desist Letters: On September 27, 2016, the City sent out the first batch
of letters to eleven (11) property owners known to host short-term rentals in the City
that have received multiple resident complaints. The notice informed property
owners that short-term rentals are prohibited, and that such must cease and desist
immediately. In order to send out the next batch of letters to the remaining host
property owners (estimated to be approximately another 70 properties), Staff intends
to canvass the various website host platforms to identify where these properties are
located. This research can be done by Staff, but it will likely be time consuming and
challenging in that addresses are not usually posted on the host platforms.
Furthermore, because there is only one Code Enforcement Officer who will be
managing this assignment along with the other tasks (i.e. property violations,
peafowl management plan, coyote management plan, and other responsibilities),
this will likely occur in phases over the next several months. Alternatively, the City
Council may consider hiring additional part-time Staff to assist with the enforcement
of the short-term rental prohibition.' The annual cost of this part-time position is
estimated to be $27,000 to $30,000. Alternatively, the City could look at contractors
who may be able to provide this service.
2. Public Outreach: In order to ensure that the community is aware of the ban, the City
will be launching a public campaign to raise awareness of the short term rental
prohibition. In addition to posting information on the City's website and social media
platforms (Facebook and Nextdoor), the City intends to meet with the Rancho Palos
Verdes Council of Homeowners Associations (CHOA) and individual homeowners
associations in the coming months to explain the prohibition. An article will also be
published in the City's next quarterly newsletter. Increased public awareness will
assist City Staff with the enforcement of the prohibition because residents will most
likely self -police this activity by reporting it to the City.
3. Collaborating with Other Beach Cities: The majority of the South Bay beach cities
have banned short-term rentals and are experiencing similar challenges in enforcing
the prohibition. Staff has been communicating and collaborating with other local
Staff previously reported that there was an outside vendor (Host Compliance) that could assist
the City in providing the enforcement service at a nominal cost. However, Staff has recently learned that
this vendor is no longer providing such services.
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beach cities to better understand how the enforcement of the prohibition can occur in
a more efficient and enforceable manner. On September 26, 2016, City Staff
attended a South Bay Cities Council of Government (SBCCOG) meeting to discuss
the issue of short-term rentals in the area. At the meeting, representatives from
various cities throughout the South Bay exchanged information related to short-term
rental complaints, enforcement costs, options and challenges, as well as greater
involvement by the SBCCOG to bring awareness to the issue. At this meeting, it
was agreed to continue to meet on a regular basis to exchange information. The
next meeting will occur in December 2016.
On October 6, 2016, City Staff also attended a roundtable meeting in the City of
Newport Beach, at which additional information was shared by Orange County cities,
regarding their efforts and strategies to address short-term rentals. At the meeting,
representatives from the cities of Anaheim and Irvine also provided an update on
enforcement challenges related to their approaches in regulating short-term rentals.
Many of the cities that attended the meeting indicated that their current enforcement
programs required code amendments to bolster enforcement capabilities, as well as
additional staff to assist in the enforcement efforts.
4. Collaboration with the Sheriff's Department: Staff recently met with Captain Beringer
of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) in order to discuss short-
term rental concerns, and to identify effective strategies to collaboratively address
complaints associated with short-term rentals in the City. At the meeting, Staff
learned that the LASD would not be able to easily enforce the prohibition because it
would be very difficult to prove that a guest staying at a host property is using a
short-term rental without obtaining a copy of the contract, which would require the
lengthy process of obtaining a subpoena. However, Captain Beringer did point out
that Chapter 9.24 of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) codifies an
"Unruly Parties and Gatherings" ordinance that would allow the LASD to cite and for
the City to collect expenses from property owners for extraordinary law enforcement
services when responding to unruly parties, gatherings or other assemblages of
persons on private property (Attachment A). In addition, Staff agreed to provide the
Sheriff's Department with a list of known short-term rentals in the City, in order for
the Sheriff's Department to create a database to monitor calls for service related to
short-term rental activities, and to allow for the exchange of information with the City
for reporting purposes.
5. Prosecution of Short -Term Rental Ban: Once the City has amended its code to
prohibit the advertising of short-term rentals, the City has at least two (2) paths to
enforce its ban. The City could criminally prosecute short-term rental advertisers or
operators by filing a misdemeanor complaint against the responsible party. Criminal
prosecution would allow the City to seek up to $1,000 per violation or per day of non-
compliance. The City could also issue Administrative Citations under RPVMC
Chapter 1.16. This administrative process could be handled internally by Staff with
assistance from the City Attorney's office. It is important to note that criminal
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prosecution and administrative citation processes are not mutually exclusive, and
the City could opt to pursue both processes.
Proposed Code Amendments
A robust enforcement framework is essential in achieving successful implementation of
the short-term rental ban. A key component of an effective enforcement program
includes a comprehensive code amendment, which expressly prohibits short-term rental
activities, including the advertisement of such use. As such, Staff has identified
possible code amendments that the City Council might consider to enhance the
enforcement of the City's prohibition of short-term rentals:
1. Prohibiting the Advertisement of Short -Term Rentals: An effective strategy in the
enforcement of eliminating short-term rentals throughout the City is to prohibit the
advertisement of such uses. Typically, the availability of a short-term rentals is
advertised on a host websites such as Airbnb and VRBO. Prohibiting the
advertisement of a short-term rentals in the City's Single -Family Residential Zoning
Districts will allow the City to cite a property owner that advertises this prohibited
use. It should be noted that the burden of compliance with the advertisement
prohibition should not be placed on the website host platform, but rather on the
property owner. If desired, the City Council could direct Staff to continue working
with the Planning Commission to prepare code language that prohibits the
advertisement of short-term rentals.
2. Creating a Prohibited Use List in the Development Code: The City's Development
Code is considered to be a permissive code, meaning that if a use is not identified
as permitted, then it is assumed to be prohibited. In order to provide further
clarification as to whether a use is permitted or not, consideration should be given to
the possibility of amending the Development Code (Title 17) to establish lists of
prohibited uses within the City's various zoning districts. If desired, the City Council
could direct Staff to continue working with the Planning Commission to prepare code
language that includes lists of unpermitted uses.
3. Increasing Penalties for Short -Term Rental Violations: RPVMC Section 1.08.010(B)
code violations as infractions, which typically range from $100 for a first violation to a
fine not exceeding $1,000 for any conviction for a violation of a City building and
safety code. While such infraction amounts assist in deterring individuals from
engaging in activities that violate the code, in the case of short-term rentals,
consideration should be given to pursuing a code amendment to increase infraction
amounts to be more punitive and reflective of the potential revenue that may be
collected from conducting short-term rental activities. If desired, the City Council
could direct the City Attorney to amend RPVMC Section 1.08.010(B) to increase the
penalty fine to the maximum extent possible for the violation of the City's prohibition
of short-term rentals. In addition, the City Council could direct the City Attorney's
office to amend RPVMC Chapter 1. 16, which provides for the imposition of
El
administrative penalties, to increase the penalty fine to the maximum extent possible
for the violation of the City's prohibition of short-term rentals
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Since the September 20, 2016 City Council Meeting, Staff has received several public
comments (Attachment B) regarding the City's affirmation that short-term rentals are not
permitted within the City's Single -Family Residential Zoning Districts. The comments
generally support the City Council's recent actions regarding short-term rentals, as well
as provide notification regarding properties in the City that are offering short-term
rentals.
CONCLUSION:
Since the City Council's affirmation that short-term rentals are prohibited in the City's
Single -Family Residential Zoning Districts, Staff has taken steps to notify property
owners in the City of known violations. In addition, Staff has continued to gather
additional information on the best enforcement practices to address short-term rental
violations. As a result, Staff has outlined possible code amendments for the City
Council's consideration to bolster the City's code enforcement framework to prohibit
short-term rentals in the City's Single -Family Residential Zoning Districts.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternatives are available for the
City Council's consideration:
1. Identify additional options for Staff to research for Council consideration at
a future meeting; or
2. Direct Staff to take no further action at this time.
��
Chapter 9.24 - LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPENSES CAUSED BY UNRULY PARTIES AND GATHERINGS
Sections:
9.24.010 - Purpose and intent.
The city council finds that unruly parties, gatherings, or other assemblages of persons on private
property and other gathering places on private property with the city, can disturb the public peace, safety
and welfare so as to require law enforcement services over and above those normally provided. It is the
best interests of the public safety and welfare for those persons causing the need for law enforcement
services beyond those normally provided to the public at large to be required to pay all or a part of such
extraordinary law enforcement expenses.
(Ord. 258 § 1 (part), 1990)
9.24.020 - Procedures.
When a party, gathering or other assemblage of persons occurs on private property and is determined
by a sheriff's deputy at the scene to constitute a violation of the California Penal Code or is otherwise
disturbing the public peace, health, safety or welfare, due to the magnitude of the crowd, noise, disturbance
or unruly behavior generated by the gathering, or by excessive traffic or property damage caused by the
gathering, then the deputy shall take such actions and give such direction as is necessary to abate the
violation or condition and shall advise the responsible party orally and in writing that if the violation or
condition is not immediately abated, the responsible party and/or property owner shall be held responsible
for the cost of providing any additional law enforcement services beyond the initial response as provided in
this chapter. Such direction shall be given to the person responsible for the party, gathering or other
assemblage of persons or on whose property it is located. If the violation or condition is not voluntarily
abated or if it otherwise becomes necessary to call in additional sheriff's personnel or take additional action
in order to terminate the gathering, quell any disturbance, direct traffic, cite illegally parked vehicles or
otherwise respond to the situation, then the cost of such additional law enforcement services beyond the
initial response shall be reimbursed to the city as provided in Section 9.24.030.
(Ord. 258 § 1 (part), 1990)
9.24.030 - Cost reimbursement required.
A. The person or persons responsible for a party, gathering or other assemblage of persons described in
Section 9.24.020, or on whose property the gathering is held, or if such person is a minor then the
parents or legal guardians of the minor, shall be jointly and severally Liable for the following costs
attributable to the event, or, if lower, the amount established by resolution of the city council:
The actual cost to the city of law enforcement services beyond the initial response by a sheriff's
deputy necessary to abate the violations or conditions described in Section 9.24.020,-
Damage
.24.020;
Damage to public property resulting from such law enforcement response; and
Injuries to law enforcement personnel incurred in such law enforcement response.
B. The sheriffs department shall compute the cost of providing such services in accordance with the
schedule of rates and charges for personnel and equipment contained in the law enforcement services
agreement with the city and advise the city manager of such costs, as well as any other costs of
damage to public property or injuries to personnel resulting from the law enforcement response. The
person responsible for the party, gathering or other assemblage or on whose property the party,
gathering or other assemblage takes place shall be billed for these costs by the city manager upon
Page 1
A-1
notice of the charges from the sheriff and payment shall be due and payable within fifteen days of the
billing date. Should the amount due not be paid, the city may collect the debt, as well as any costs
incurred in collecting the debt due to nonpayment, pursuant to any available provision of law.
(Ord. 258 § 1 (part), 1990)
9.24.040 - Written notice.
The sheriff is authorized and directed to prepare appropriate advisory procedures to be followed by
deputies responding to a party, gathering or other assemblage, including preparation of written materials
advising the responsible person or persons of the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 258 § 1 (part), 1990)
Page 2
A-2
Octavio Silva
From:
Chris Huang <cgpharmd@cox.net>
Sent:
Thursday, September 22, 2016 10:21 AM
To:
CC; Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject:
Thank You
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Flagged
Dear Mayor Dyda and members of City Council,
Thank you for your service and attention in reviewing the matter on Short -Term rental. I believe you made the absolute
right decision for the residents of our beautiful city.
Mayor Dyda,
Thank you for your wisdom and keeping us in line with the founding principles of the city.
Councilwoman Brooks,
Thank you for recognizing our city and home is our paradise and sanctuary and should remain as such. I couldn't agree
more.
Councilman Duhovic,
Thank you for recognizing and acknowledging that short-term rental business is not compatible with R1 residential zone.
Councilman Misetich,
Thank you for having the foresight and described the "Perfect Storm" scenario if nothing is done.
Ara and Octavio,
Thank you and your staff for your patience and tireless work. The community as a whole is very passionate and
outspoken on this issue and will continue to be vigilant and outspoken until the ban is implemented.
Your professionalism is much appreciated.
Chris Huang
Country Club, RPV
1
Octavio Silva
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Dear Council Members:
Guri Otterlei <guri.otterlei@cox.net>
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9:22 AM
CC; PC; Octavio Silva
Short-term rental
Follow up
Flagged
Thank you for doing the right thing last night and voting for the full ban on short-term rental! We hope this
decision will go into effect immediately, and that strict code enforcement begins today! This will put a stop to
what we've been looking at in Portuguese Bend every week for way too long (see picture from 24 Narcissa this
morning, showing garbage still littering from last weekend's wedding party, with beautiful Catalina island in the
background).
Thanks
Guri Ott
Sent from my iPhone
Octavio Silva
From: Kit Fox
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9:57 AM
To: Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc: Gabriella Yap
Subject: FW: Short Term Rentals
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
FYI
"Kit Fox, AICP
Cite of Rancho Palos Verdes
(310) 544-5226
kitf@rpvca. ov
From: Eugene Carver [mailto:gen_patcar@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9:40 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc: PC <PC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Short Term Rentals
To Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and Planning Commission:
I'm writing this email to express my concern about short term rentals in our area. I've been a resident on the peninsula
since 1969 and for the first time I have safety concerns. I'm strongly asking you to ban short term rentals in our area.
With the upswing in crime in our area we need to be more diligent and with short term rentals, there is no control of the
people coming in. If we do not know who actually lives in a residence, we are unable to institute a cohesive
Neighborhood Watch.
Please ban short term rentals!
Eugene and Patricia Carver
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B-3
Octavio Silva
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
FYI
Kit Fox, Aicp
CitLJ of Rancho Palos Verdes
(310)544-5226
kitf@rpvca. ov
Kit Fox
Thursday, September 22, 2016 12:08 PM
Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Gabriella Yap
FW: Thank you! - Don't Stop now!
Follow up
Flagged
From: James R. Smith [mailto:jrsmith210@cox.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 12:05 PM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>; PC <PC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Thank you! - Don't Stop now!
Thanks you for voting for the full ban on short-term rentals with no exceptions in single family zones in Rancho
Palos Verdes. Thank you for your hard work in reading the volume of material submitted and listening to
concerned residents. We strongly request that you now come up with an effective enforcement plan as soon as
possible with a fine sufficient to deter violators.
We can see benefits for owner occupied residences who rent a room or two in their home for additional income
or company, but most of the people in this business are not in that category. This has the potential for being a
big money making scheme which also has the potential of consistent violations if the fines are not sufficient
to deter them.
We are aware that the violators are already violating single family zoning, but law enforcement has to be
willing to assist in enforcing the ban/fines against violators. We ask you to be judicious in following through on
this beginning to a successful conclusion.
Jim and Jean Smith
30717 Ganado Drive
Octavio Silva
From: Kit Fox
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 11:10 AM
To: Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc: Gabriella Yap
Subject: FW: Short Term Rentals- THANK YOU
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
FYI
Kit Fox, ATOP
Cit y of Rancho Palos Verdes
(310) 544-5220
kitf@rpvca.6ov
From: Andrew Kitto [mailto:andrewkitto@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 11:05 AM
To: Ken Dyda <Ken.Dyda@rpvca.gov>
Cc: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Short Term Rentals- THANK YOU
Dear Mr. Dyda,
I would like to Thank YOU and city council members for banning Short Term Rentals. This is
will keep the quality of life in our beautiful city as we know it, peaceful and tranquil. Thank
you again for listening to the residents concerns.
Sincerely
Andrew Kitto, Ph.D.
3545 Starline Dr.
RPV 90275
i
B-5
Octavio Silva
From: glenn spargo <spargo@cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 3:26 PM
To: Ken Dyda; susan.brooks@rpvaca.gov; Jerry Duhovic; Anthony Misetich
Cc: Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian; Michael Huang; Mary Alice Fosse; Carolynn Petru; Paul
Baduini; Janet Nitz; james young; virginia young; Karen & Chan; Tracy Burns; Peggy
Tiberi; junewhitmore; George Cinfo; Anita Gash; Anke Raue; Richard Uyeminami; Nancy
Bruce; Maureen Spargo; Stacey Michaels; bob@frinier.net; Chris Wanlin Huang
Subject: Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court - Houses for Rent in Rancho Palos Verdes 6857
CREST RD, RPV - A COUPLE OF THINGS REGARDING THE 100% BAN
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
FIRST OF ALL, I AM WRITING THIS NOTE TO TELL YOU HOW PROUD WE ALL ARE OF YOU FOR
MAKING THE DECISION TO ENFORCE THE EXITING ZONING LAWS
IN RPV. THIS WILL INSURE OUR PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT TURN INTO
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES (IN THIS CASE TRANSIENT MOTELS),
THE 130 PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES TO ATTEND THE
COUNCIL'S MEETING, ALL OF WHICH SUPPORTED THE 100% BAN, THIS PAST TUESDAY
EVENING, SHOULD PROVIDE
SOME EVIDENCE OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME TO OUR COMMUNITY. AS
PRIVATE CITIZENS WE SEE THIS AS YOU CONFIRMING OUR SUPPORT FOR
ELECTING YOU INTO OFFICE AND PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS
`AIRBNB' ISSUE IS GETTING OUT OF HAND. IT TAKES ONLY A VERY LOW MONETARY
INVESTMENT
TO ENTER INTO THIS VENTURE, ONCE THE HOME HAS BEEN PURCHASED, WITH
LITTLE FURTHER CAPITAL REQUIRED — SOME MAID SERVICES, AND SOME ADVERTISING
DOLLARS.
THEREFORE, ONE CAN EASILY IMAGINE THE RAPID PROLIFERATION OF THIS COTTAGE
INDUSTRY. ESPECIALLY NOW GIVEN THE EASY ACCESS TO ADVERTISING WEBSITES WHICH
CAN REACH, LITERALLY, THE ENTIRE WORLD.
BUT EACH OF YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED ON YOUR POSITION. AND, I HOPE YOU WILL
TAKE THIS MESSAGE AS SINCERE FEEDBACK OF OUR APPRECIATION IN REPRESENTING THE
MASS MAJORITY OF THE PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY HERE IN RPV.
SECOND OF ALL: I REALIZE IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE THIS DECISION HAS BEEN
RENDERED. HOWEVER, GIVEN THAT THE ZONING CODE LAWS HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS
FOR YEARS NOW
WE ALL FORESEE A NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT DECISION QUICKLY. WE HOPE THAT THE
CITY MAY PROVIDE SOME MEANS OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE BAN, IN THE INTERIM, TO
INSURE THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IS STOPPED. AND, THAT THESE
ENTITIES DON'T CONTINUE TO STAY IN PLACE AND CONTINUE TO TAKE IN BOOKINGS.
ONE WAY TO INITIATE THIS, BEFORE THE COUNCIL ACTUALLY AGREES ON THE
ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS AND FINES TO BE PUT INTO EFFECT, IS TO TALK TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO SEE IF 'CEASE AND DESIST' ORDERS COULD BE SERVED ON THE
OFFENDERS. THAT WOULD SEEM REASONABLE. SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE
NOW A SUGGESTION MIGHT BE TO TAKE THE TOP
LISTINGS, BY USAGE, FROM THE WEBSITES - SAY AIRBNB, COME AWAY, AND VRBO - AND
SERVE NOTICES TO THESE OWNERS AS A START. PROBABLY, THE LARGEST 25/30 WOULD
SUFFICE.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION WOULD THEN BE TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVE THESE
NOTICES AT BETWEEN 4:00 P.M. AND 5:00 P.M. WHICH IS THE TIME MOST OF THESE `MOTELS'
OFFER `CHECK IN.'
AND, SINCE SOME OF THESE PLACES DO NOT HAVE OWNERS RESIDING ON PREMISES THOSE
OWNERS WOULD MOST LIKELY BE THERE TO WELCOME THEIR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS AND
GET THEM SETTLED IN.
SO, THEY WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN THE ORDER WAS PRESENTED. A NUMBER OF US HAVE
LOOKED AT A FEW OF THE RESIDENCES OFFERING NIGHTLY STAYS ON THESE WEBSITES
SINCE THE MEETING. FIRST OF ALL THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN DOWN THEIR ADVERTISING AT
THIS POINT. SECOND, IT WOULD APPEAR THEY ARE STILL TAKING BOOKINGS. EVEN
THOUGH SOME OF THEM WERE AT THE MEETING AND HEARD THE DECISION OF THE
COUNCIL FIRST HAND.
SO, DO I DARE SAY THAT, THEY EITHER CONTINUE TO FEEL THAT THE COUNCIL WON'T
TAKE ANY MEANINGFUL ACTION OR GIVEN THE INCOMES THEY ARE ACCUMULATING THEY
ARE WILLING JUST TO EXTEND ONE FINGER TO THE COUNCIL AND THEIR NEIGHBORS
TELLING US THEY DON'T PLAN ON OBEYING THE LAWS IN EFFECT.
IN THAT CONTEXT I HAVE ATTACHED ONE EXAMPLE - THERE ARE MANY.
THIS IS A TRANSIENT MOTEL AT 6857 CREST RD. THE PARTIES HERE ARE LEGEND. 6-10 CARS
FILL UP THE DRIVEWAY AND STREET. PLEASE LOOK AT THE REVIEWS. THE OWNER DOES
NOT RESIDE HERE. THE HOME IS VERY OFTEN FULLY RENTED OUT ON A SHORT TERM BASIS.
THEY SAY IT CAN ACCOMMODATE 12 BUT WHEN YOU READ SOME OF THE REVIEWS ABOUT
THE WEDDING PARTIES ETC, ONE CAN CERTAINLY IMAGINE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WOULD
HAVE STAYED THERE. NOT WANTING TO DRIVE HOME AFTER THE PARTY. YOU CAN LOOK
AT WHAT THE POSSIBLE CHARGES ARE AND DO THE MATH TO ESTIMATE THE INCOME.. THIS
ONE ENTITY COULD BRING IN ANYWHERE FROM $15K TO $30K PER MONTH. CLICK ON THE
AVAILABILITY LINK AND YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE MONTHLY CALENDAR. YOU WILL
SEE THAT SEPT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY BOOKED UP.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER SHOW ALMOST HALF OF THE DATES CURRENTLY TAKEN. DECEMBER
- THE XMAS HOLIDAY IS ALREADY BOOKED. THEN FAST FORWARD INTO THE SPRING
MONTHS OF 2017.
CHECK OUT APRIL/MAY/JUNE. BOOKINGS ALREADY ACCEPTED AND DAYS BLOCKED OFF.
WE KNOW THAT MR. MISETICH SPOKE OF A `POSSIBLE' PARTY TAKING PLACE DOWN AT THE
END OF HIS STREET RECENTLY. SO, WE KNOW HE HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO THIS
INTRUSION. IF NOT MISTAKEN HE MENTIONED IT WAS TAKING PLACE ALMOST 1000 YARDS
AWAY. NOW, JUST IMAGINE
THIS GOING ON EVERY WEEKEND AND IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS DURING THE
WEEK. YOU GET THE PICTURE I'M SURE.
IN CLOSING: ALL OF US CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE TAKEN THIS ISSUE
TO HEART AND CAN NOW REALIZE, GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF INPUT YOU ARE RECEIVING
FROM THE FOLKS, THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS COMMERCIALIZATION OF OUR PRIVATE
NEIGHBORHOODS, AGAINST LAWS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS, IS CAUSING MANY OF US A
GREAT DEAL OF ANGST.
2
B-7
AS OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WE ARE HOPING YOU WILL LOOK AT THE PROPOSAL
ABOVE. AND, LOOK INTO THE IMMEDIATE POSSIBLE SERVING OF `CEASE AND DESIST'
ORDERS SO WE CAN
RECAPTURE OUR PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOODS AND RETURN TO US ALL THE SALIENT
REASONS WE MADE THE DECISION TO PURCHASE HOMES HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. PEACE
AND SOLITUDE.
ANY FURTHER FEEDBACK YOU CAN PROVIDE REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL WOULD BE
APPRECIATED. WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE KEEP THE DIALOGUE CURRENT AND ONGOING.
WITH SINCERITY AND GRATITUDE,
GLENN SPARGO
1-ittps://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7575081?s=EkvgStJ I R&sub=51
Octavio Silva
From: James Bertolina <jnbertolina@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2016 9:46 PM
To: Octavio Silva
Cc: gregmitre@cox.net; Margaret Shih; gyparker; Joe Barger;. Jeannette Peterson;
fbstapleton@cox.net; donway@cox.net; arlineg@cox.net; duuvette@aol.com; Michael
Huang
Subject: Short Term Rentals on Hightide Dr
We are very relieved to see that the City is now starting to enforce the code re:Short Term Rentals. We expect
that the house on 3664 Hightide Dr is included since we first complained about this house on March 16, 2016.
Of course you have sent the C&D letter to the subject house but do you also mail it to owner's residence? In
this case they probably live at the Property Tax Billing address 21650 E Bluebell Ct.,Walnut, Ca. 91789.
Incidentally we checked Google Maps for that address and there was a white minivan in the driveway similar to
the one that comes to the Hightide house after the renters leave.
Since the owner(s) have ignored the City's code and blatantly lied, it is most probable that they will continue to
do the same. What can the neighbors do to help with code enforcement?
Does Airbnb, et al, comply with cities requests to remove listings in prohibited areas ?
Thanks to you and all the RPV city staff for your work to correct this problem. It has been a real pain in the
neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Nelly & James Bertolina
3713 Hightide Dr.
RPV, Ca 90275
(310) 265-0446
. S
Octavio Silva
From:
Chris Huang <cgpharmd@cox.net>
Sent:
Thursday, September 22, 2016 5:04 PM
To:
Julie Peterson; Octavio Silva
Cc:
Ara Mihranian; mikehgalaxy@gmail.com
Subject:
City zoning code violation -short term rental
Attachments:
7137 Avenida Altisima, Short term rental, city zoning violatoin.docx
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
Good afternoon Julie,
I am reporting a city zoning code violation pursuant to City Council's affirmation that short-term rentals are prohibited in
the single family residential zones. The property address in violation is
7137 Avenida Altisima, Rancho Palos Verdes.
I have attached screen shots of the property being advertised for rent on Airbnb. The property has 4 different rooms for
rent with 1 -day minimum stay.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Chris Huang
cgpharmd@cox.net
IS
Please enforce the city zoning code for the property identified. Below are screen shots of advertisement
on Airbnb. The house has 4 rooms offered on Airbnb website on a daily basis.
Address; 7137 Avenida A9tasirna, Rancho Palos Verdes
Owner, Yolanda Quimbayo
Comfy Private Bedroom in RPV, a Peaceful Home!
Private roor, , 2 guests • * * * * * • 5 reviews
B-11
Comfy Master Bedroom in RPV, a Peaceful Home!
Private room - 6 guests • * Ar * * * - 5 reviews
B-12
Private Bed&Bath in RPV Home!
Private room • 4 guests • 2 reviews
B-13
Comfy Private Bedroom in RPV, a Peaceful Home!
Private room, 4 qUeStS • 2 reviews
�WMII
Octavio Silva
From, Tracy Burns <akamomma@gmail.com>
Sento Thursday, September 22, 2016 10:05 PM
To. Julie Peterson
Cc- Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subjects Short -Term Rental Enforcement Request (Cease & Desist Letter?) / 7241 Avenida
Altisima
Dear Julie,
I°d like to report a code violation and request immediate enforcement. My neighbor and the property
,owner/operator, Maura Mizuguchi, is operating a short-term rental called the "Feng Shui Beach House". Even
after the recent City Council meeting she was still booking guests, despite being present during the meeting and
hearing that it is already illegal per the City Attorney. I understand that your department may still be working
out the logistics of enforcement, so in the meantime a simple "Cease and Desist" letter may suffice until a game
plan is formulated. The letter would serve as an official warning, as a possible deterrent and nullify any
complaints from her about
not having enough time to warn her "guests" and cancel reservations.
Owner/Operator - Maura Mizuguchi
Address: 7242 Avenida Altisima
Cell: 310-882-8861
Home: 310-377-3063
AirBnB listing link:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/ 1055562?sug51
There are various rates for different rooms, 5 beds, space for 8 and a 1 night minimum. The last booking for
November 3rd and 4th was added AFTER the recent City Council meeting.
B-15
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(6,761)
Feng Shui Beach House - Ocean
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Rancho Palos Vprdes. CA, United States
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what room(s) you are interested in. I
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more rooms or a different room, eac
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If you need any further information, please let me know.
Sincerely,
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12
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8 Guests
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If you need any further information, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Tracy Burns
12
i
Octavio Silva
From:
Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, September 22, 2016 10:39 PM
To:
Julie Peterson
Cc:
Octavio Silva
Subject:
Fwd: City zoning code violation -short term rental
Attachments:
7137 Avenida Altisima, Short term rental, city zoning violatoin.docx; Reveiws from
Short -Term Guests of Yolanda at 7137 Avenida Altisima.PNG; More reviews for 7137
Avenida Altisima short-term rental for September 2016.PNG; Yolanda's 4 Iistings.PNG
Hi Julie,
Here are the links for the four illegal short-term listings for 7137 Avenida Altisima. These four rooms are in the
same house, and each room has its own separate listing on AirBNB:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14655015?Quests=l&s=72V702-w&stag=51
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14655444?guests=l &s=72V702-w&sug=51
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14501616?guests=l &s=72V702-w&sug=51
https://w-ww.airbnb.com/rooms/14655902?guests=l &s=72V702-w&sug=51
Please note that the third link above shows the property owner, Yolanda Quimbayo, standing in front of the
house identified as 7137 Avenida Altisima from the enclosed Google Map Streetview.
I have also enclosed two screenshots of reviews from Yolanda's short-term guests from September 2016.
Enclosed please also find a screenshot showing all four listings on the same AirBNB page.
Can you please let me know what actions the city will take regarding these illegal short-term rentals? Yolanda
Quimbayo was at the city council meeting on September 20, 2016, and she also made a comment to the city
council regarding her rentals. She is aware that as of Tuesday, 9/20/16, these short-term rentals are illegal in
our city. Yet her AirBNB website is still taking reservations as of tonight. It would be great if you can keep me
updated on the status of your enforcement action. Please call me at (310) 408-1036 if you have any
questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Huang <cgpharmdieicox.net>
Date: Thu, Sep 22, 2016 at 5:03 PM
Subject: City zoning code violation -short term rental
To: juliep(a�,rpvca.gov, octaviosc�rpvca.gov
B-27
Cc: aram(c,rpvca.gov, mikeh ag laxy,,'c)gnlail.com
Good afternoon Julie,
I am reporting a city zoning code violation pursuant to City Council's affirmation that short-term rentals are
prohibited in the single family residential zones. The property address in violation is
7137 Avenida Altisima, Rancho Palos Verdes.
I have attached screen shots of the property being advertised for rent on Airbnb. The property has 4 different
rooms for rent with 1 -day minimum stay.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Chris Huang
cgpharmd@cox.net
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Octavio Silva
From: Tracy Burns <akamomma@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 9:26 AM
To: Julie Peterson
Cc: Lomitawebsite@lasd.org; Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Short -Term Rental Enforcement Request / Nuisance Property (LASD) / 6857 Crest Rd.
Dear Julie,
I'd like to report a code violation and request immediate enforcement. The property owner/operator, Anoja
Wickramarachchi aka "Shwick", is operating a short-term rental/ event space called the "Ocean View Estate w/
tennis court"". Based on reviews and complaints from neighbors, I believe they are violating Los Angeles
County Codes pertaining to loud music too. LASD should be able to input information into their system
regarding this nuisance property, so that anytime there is a call for service to the location the responding
deputies will automatically be alerted to the issues. They'll have a better idea what they are walking into and
enforce accordingly.
Based on the posted calendar for this property, they are booked almost completely up to Jan. 1 st, 2017. Shwick
already has a possible fine assessments built into his pricing structure too. This property sits on the steep "s"
curve on Crest Rd. south of Hawthorne Blvd. Catering trucks, party rental vehicles and party attendees
routinely double park in the street to drop off guests and supplies. This is extremely dangerous!
Owner/Operator - Anoia Wickramarachchi (?), aka "Shwick"
Manager - "Martha" per several reviews
Address: 6857 Crest Rd.
Phone: (unknown)
12 Guests/ 5 Beds/ 2 night minimum
AirBnB listing link:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7575081 ?s=swREG5Uo&sug=51
Quotes from the advertisement:
"Perfect for events"
"Any events (parties) must be mentioned at time of booking and paid for at event space rate of $(PHONE
NUMBER HIDDEN) per day, depending on type of event."
"Maximum Guests allowed per standard booking is 12 guests. Any additional Guests will be charged a rate of
$100 per guest up to 16 (max $400 additional). Any # of guests over 16 will be considered an event and
charged minimum $1500. -Please read"
"Disclaimer - Any parties (house parties, or events) that have not been cleared by management will be
charged full rate of $3500 per night + Any damaged to property. There is a zero tolerance rule for this."
B-32
Quotes from a Guest Review (Kimberly):
"We rented this house for a wedding reception and used it over a long weekend to house the wedding party and
our out of town guests as well as hold the rehearsal dinner."
"The tennis court served as a great place to set up tables for the wedding reception"
"Also, although we were told the neighbors were notified beforehand of our event, they still complained
(and we had a pretty conservative event), so not sure they are used to large events in that neighborhood."
IM—MW loll 91- 1.
Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, United States
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B-34
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Kimberly
We rented this house for a wedding
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4.
This "party house" is a HUGE money maker for the operator, I doubt he is going to stop his operation just by
sending a letter. The poor neighbors behind him on Avenida Refinida get blasted with music every
weekend. Let me know if you need any further information. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Tracy Burns
16
B-43
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 9:42 AM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Julie Peterson; Octavio Silva; Chris Wanlin Huang; margy bloom
Subject: Re: City zoning code violation -short term rental
Sorry, made a mistake. The correct address for Yolanda's short-term rental is 7137 Avenida Altisima. Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 9:37 AM, Michael Huang <mikehcalaxyL�� mail.com> wrote:
Hi Ara,
Thank you very much for the email. Many residents are ecstatic and very greateful to hear that the city would
being enforcement of the prohibition of the short-term rentals immediately. Besides packing the meeting room
on Tuesday, we had some many more ban supporters who nervously watched the proceedings from home. We
are all really heartened by the final vote, but we are all very disappointed with Brian Campbell. I believe this
is a great example of the city council listening and responding to the needs of the residents, with the exception
of Brian Campbell. I also want to thank you again for all the hard work you and your staff put into this issue.
Margy from our group of ban supporters has volunteered to put together a list of illegal short-term rentals. We
will try to send you a preliminary list early next week and will follow up with a more complete list later. For
now, here's a list of the short-term rentals I am aware of.
Please not hesitate to contact myself or Margy if you have any questions concerning the lists we will be
providing. Thank you.
7242 Avenida Altisima (Maura's)
7131 Avenida Altisima (Yolanda's)
6857 Crest Ave (Schwik)
6527 Eddinghill (Eric Mark)
AI I
3664 Hightide (Robert Wu)
26810 Fond Du Lac & 26815 Fond Du Lac (same owner who threatened to sue the city owns these 2 properties)
84 Narcissa
27113 Indian Peak
Thank you again for doing such an excellent job! Please do not hesitate to contact me or Margy if you have
any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 8:34 AM, Ara Mihranian <AraM rpvca.gov> wrote:
Chris,
In light of the Council's action on Tuesday night, Staff has begun the code enforcement process on
the properties we have information on. Letters are going out early next week. The City's typical
code enforcement process is to give a property owner 30 -days to correct the violation. You can
check in with Julie or I to see how things are progressing. And definitely keep us in the loop.
Mr.
P.S. If you or Michael know of any other properties that are listing short-term rentals, please let us
know.
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
z
B-45
GWOF LiRANU 10 1"/NIE)SV�RDEES
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram _rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
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c<x;;aer<a i' " a.
From: Chris Huang [mailto:cgpharmd a,cox.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 5:04 PM
To: Julie Peterson <JulieP@)rpvca.gov>; Octavio Silva <OctavioS c�rpvca. lov>
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraM(arpvca.gov>; mikehgalaxyLa,,gmail.com
Subject: City zoning code violation -short term rental
Good afternoon Julie,
3
B-46
I am reporting a city zoning code violation pursuant to City Council's affirmation that short-term rentals are
prohibited in the single family residential zones. The property address in violation is
7137 Avenida Altisima, Rancho Palos Verdes.
I have attached screen shots of the property being advertised for rent on Airbnb. The property has 4 different
rooms for rent with 1 -day minimum stay.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Chris Huang
cgpharmda cox.net
Octavio Silva
From: Tracy Burns <akamomma@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 11:04 AM
To: spargo
Cc: Julie Peterson; Lomitawebsite@lasd.org; Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Re: Short -Term Rental Enforcement Request / Nuisance Property (LASD) / 6857 Crest
Rd.
Spring break and June wedding season, good catch!
09000 AT&T LTE 10:57 AM
Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court -
wNvv.;ilrbnb.com
1 -01 EA•
00000 AT&T LTE 10:57 AM
Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court -
www.airbnb.com
00000 AT&T LTE 10:57 AM
Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court -
B-51
On Sep 23, 2016, at 10:39 AM, spargo <spargokcox.net> wrote:
Tracey, et al, if you look further foreward on the calendar into 2017 you'll find the Spring is
booking up also.
April,May,June already show bookings/dates blocked off.
The City definetely needs to get their hands around this house ASAP.
GLENN
Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: Tracy Burns <akamomma&gmail.com>
Date: 9/23/16 9:26 AM (GMT -08:00)
To: Julie Peterson <JuliePgKpvca.gov>
Cc: Lomitawebsiteglasd.org, Ara Mihranian <AraM&Epvca.gov>, Octavio Silva
<octavios@mvca.gov>
Subject: Short -Term Rental Enforcement Request / Nuisance Property (LASD) / 6857 Crest Rd.
Dear Julie,
I'd like to report a code violation and request immediate enforcement. The property
owner/operator, Anoja Wickramarachchi aka "Shwick", is operating a short-term rental/ event
space called the "Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court"". Based on reviews and complaints from
neighbors, I believe they are violating Los Angeles County Codes pertaining to loud music
too. LASD should be able to input information into their system regarding this nuisance
property, so that anytime there is a call for service to the location the responding deputies will
automatically be alerted to the issues. They'll have a better idea what they are walking into and
enforce accordingly.
Based on the posted calendar for this property, they are booked almost completely up to Jan. 1 st,
2017. Shwick already has a possible fine assessments built into his pricing structure too. This
property sits on the steep "s" curve on Crest Rd. south of Hawthorne Blvd. Catering trucks,
party rental vehicles and party attendees routinely double park in the street to drop off guests and
supplies. This is extremely, dangerous!
Owner/Operator - Anoja Wickramarachchi (?), aka "Shwick"
Manager - "Martha" per several reviews
Address: 6857 Crest Rd.
Phone: (unknown)
12 Guests/ 5 Beds/ 2 night minimum
AirBnB listing link:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/757508 1 ? s=swREGSUo&sug=51
B-52
Quotes from the advertisement:
"Perfect for events"
"Any events (parties) must be mentioned at time of booking and paid for at event space rate of
$(PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN) per day, depending on type of event."
"Maximum Guests allowed per standard booking is 12 guests. Any additional Guests will be
charged a rate of $100 per guest up to lb (max $400 additional). Any # of Vuests over 16 will be
considered an event and charged minimum $1500. -Please read"
"Disclaimer - Any parties (house parties, or events) that have not been cleared by
management will be charged full rate of $3500 per night + Any damaged to property. There is
a zero tolerance rule for this."
Quotes from a Guest Review (Kimberly):
"We rented this house for a wedding reception and used it over a long weekend to house the
wedding party and our out of town guests as well as hold the rehearsal dinner."
"The tennis court served as a great place to set up tables for the wedding reception"
"Also, although we were told the neighbors were notified beforehand of our event, they still
complained (and we had a pretty conservative event), so not sure they are used to large events in
that neighborhood."
B-53
This "party house" is a HUGE money maker for the operator, I doubt he is going to stop his
operation just by sending a letter. The poor neighbors behind him on Avenida Refinida get
blasted with music every weekend. Let me know if you need any further information. Good
luck!
Sincerely,
Tracy Bums
Octavio Silva
From: Tracy Burns <akamomma@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 1:25 PM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Lomitawebsite@lasd.org; Octavio Silva; Julie Peterson
Subject: Re: Short -Term Rental Enforcement Request / Nuisance Property (LASD) / 6857 Crest
Rd.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
Ara,
I think with this Crest Rd property it would be better to have the Sheriffs Dept assist from the beginning and
have an investigator assigned from the Lomita station. The operator does not live on-site, so any letters sent
there will not serve any purpose and just delay enforcement. "Shwick" needs to be tracked down and
served. I'm going to contact the immediate neighbors and get them to help you with enforcement and
documentation. One neighbor has security cameras and will be able to compile footage as evidence if needed.
Tracy
On Sep 23, 2016, at 9:26 AM, Tracy Burns <akamomma(c�r�gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Julie,
I'd like to report a code violation and request immediate enforcement. The property
owner/operator, Anoja Wickramarachchi aka "Shwick", is operating a short-term rental/ event
space called the "Ocean View Estate w/ tennis court"". Based on reviews and complaints from
neighbors, I believe they are violating Los Angeles County Codes pertaining to loud music
too. LASD should be able to input information into their system regarding this nuisance
property, so that anytime there is a call for service to the location the responding deputies will
automatically be alerted to the issues. They'll have a better idea what they are walking into and
enforce accordingly.
Based on the posted calendar for this property, they are booked almost completely up to Jan. 1 st,
2017. Shwick already has a possible fine assessments built into his pricing structure too. This
property sits on the steep "s" curve on Crest Rd. south of Hawthorne Blvd. Catering trucks,
party rental vehicles and party attendees routinely double park in the street to drop off guests and
supplies. This is extremely dangerous!
Owner/Operator - Anoja Wickramarachchi (?), aka "Shwick"
Manager - "Martha" per several reviews
Address: 6857 Crest Rd.
Phone: (unknown)
12 Guests/ 5 Beds/ 2 night minimum
B-55
AirBnB listing link:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7575081?s=swREG5Uo&sug=51.
Quotes from the advertisement:
"Perfect for events"
"Any events (parties) must be mentioned at time of booking and paid for at event space rate of
$(PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN) per day, depending on type of event."
"Maximum Guests allowed per standard booking is 12 guests. Any additional Guests will be
charged a rate of $100 per guest up to 16 (max $400 additional). Any # of lZuests over 16 will be
considered an event and charged minimum $1500. -Please read"
"Disclaimer - Any parties (house parties, or events) that have not been cleared by
management will be charged full rate of $3500 per night + Any damaged to property. There is
a zero tolerance rule for this."
Quotes from a Guest Review (Kimberly):
"We rented this house for a wedding reception and used it over a long weekend to house the
wedding party and our out of town guests as well as hold the rehearsal dinner."
"The tennis court served as a great place to set up tables for the wedding reception"
"Also, although we were told the neighbors were notified beforehand of our event, they still
complained (and we had a pretty conservative event), so not sure they are used to large events in
that neighborhood."
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This "party house" is a HUGE money maker for the operator, I doubt he is going to stop his
operation just by sending a letter. The poor neighbors behind him on Avenida Refinida get
blasted with music every weekend. Let me know if you need any further information. Good
luck!
Sincerely,
Tracy Burns
B-57
Octavio Silva
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Hi Ara,
Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Monday, September 26, 2016 1:25 PM
Ara Mihranian
Octavio Silva; Julie Peterson; Doug Willmore; Dave Aleshire; Susan Brooks; Anthony
Misetich
List of Known Short -Term Rentals for Enforcement
Follow up
Flagged
Enclosed please find the list of short-term rentals most of which were still taking reservations as of this
weekend.
Please note that Sai Ying, the operator who threatened to sue the city at the city council meeting, operates two
short-term rentals on Fond Du Lac. She has since changed the city on her listing to "Beach Cities", but if still
shows up on the map.
I would urge you to consider the following regarding enforcement of the ban on short-term rentals:
* Also prohibit advertising of short-term rentals. It is far easier for code enforcement to prove an operator is
advertising short-term rentals online than to actually catch them in the process.
* Increase penalties for violation. The current penalties are far too low to act as a deterrent. A large house
rented out for parties can easily generate $14,000 or more per month, but even more a modest 3 -bedroom house
can generate approximately $6,000 per month. At a quick glance, it appears that the average price of an room
rental in Rancho Palos Verdes is approximately $100 per night. If the three rooms are rented twenty days out of
the month, then the operator will make $6,000 per month. During the summer months, the occupancy rate
would be even higher.
* Make the penalties cumulative and do not allow operator to profit during the period of prosecution. With the
current process of giving the first, second, and final notice for violations, an operator can stall for three to four
months before a fine is accessed. During that time, the operator can make approximately $18,000. The final
fine should account for the profit the operator makes during the prosecution of the violation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
Report on Short Term Rentals on September 26 20...�
Octavio Silva
From:
Kit Fox
Sent:
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 6:11 AM
To:
Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc:
Gabriella Yap
Subject:
Fw: Good work!
FYI
Kit
Sent using OWA for Whone
From: Nona Datta <nonadatta@hotmai!.com>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2016 10:25:20 PM
To: CC
Subject: Good work!
Thanks for the ban.great for the community.
Sent from my Pad
I
Octavio Silva
From:
Ara Mihranian
Sent:
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 9:06 AM
To:
Octavio Silva
Subject:
FW: Thank you and Air BNB article in today's Daily News
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
CITY OF Lil,�V.CJ 10 RALOSWRDE-S
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram(aD-rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
-Finis e-ni;A ri e sago, contains information bef(maing z`:; tho City- of Rancho, Palos Ve ck 4 vita h 'I"ay be pi-ivi oryt co"ifidentiat an ,"N' prot. i f� o ,
{ ISCh{)SUrf`. h0. 1'tfo. ft?dflon ':i rlte`nded endy for usie of me individual ow entity narned. UnaInNo—i<>i'd Cats serininalUon, tIMt't'=butbri, oY copying s s t ,"' ' proh bit d. If
you received this ernail in <*rrol, ' are r3o:. a,1 intended recipient, )he<lsF,3 notify the send- inirn(diatehJ hank you for Your assistance and co iE-f(ii ori.
From: margy bloom [mailto:margybloom@me.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 8:50 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>; PC <PC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Thank you and Air BNB article in today's Daily News
First, to the City Council members who voted for the 100% ban on short-term rentals, I sincerely thank you for
your commitment to keeping the many neighborhoods of this beautiful city whole and unencumbered by
inroads made by Air BNB and similar enterprises.
Second, I am attaching a note that I just sent to to a writer at the Daily News/San Gabriel Valley Tribune, after
reading today's article entitled:
Who was the biggest winner frofn the Rams* opening weekend? Airhnb hosts
By Kevin Smith, San Gabriel Valley Tribune kvsmith@scng.com
I was disappointed to see your article this morning extolling the virtues of Air BNB, when just one week ago
today, the City Council of Rancho Palos Verdes, voted 4 to 1 to enforce an existing law in the city charter that
puts a 100% ban on all short-term rentals. This follows the same ban for the cities of Palos Verdes Estates,
Rolling Hills Estates, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Quoting RPV Councilwoman Susan Brooks "This is the largest single issue before the city, and we need to stare
down the changes in our community. We do not want to be a destination hotel city. "
This action is bolstered by a large, grass-roots group of active RPV neighbors who testified in support of the
100% ban.
Your article includes talking points fed to you by Air BNB and does little to show the devastation of
neighborhood feel, extra traffic, excess noise, garbage and loss of sanctity of home in the areas where Air BNB
and other short-term rentals have made inroads. It is not the happy, easy, money -making enterprise you
portray.
Go back and write it again, please. And this time, make an effort to do more thorough research.
Margy Bloom
Rancho Palos Verdes
Octavio Silva
From: Ara Mihranian
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 10:08 AM
To: Octavio Silva
Subject: FW: Short -Term Rental Ban
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
aw
CITNI OF Lif��NGIO RALOSVERDES
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e nail fnessage conta"ins information belol)gins< to the City of R,a nho, Palos Verdes, vvlhidI may be confidetrtial andiloi potected Proal
l��> i�� r7:_r_�t3oa ., ��°e�nd�:l v€;!y tt�. €.ye of �r�i :nd?�� du, o~ :r�tity r�<anied CtrJ�=:r,s „ . <�;I l s rnrn �; �:3sirilx;t.E«t�, or c.o �yiE: s4r�rt }� prof r}tii.e. If
you �ecov,.d IN, cqn til in Qrl'rn, o are not an ri: nde°e re doi',�nt Please retry the. sender irnniediatdz Nix* you `o° yow assistance and f oiperation.
From: Amy Rumsey [mailto:amyrumsey@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 9:31 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc: PC <PC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Short -Term Rental Ban
Thank you for voting for the ban of short-term rentals (except Mr. Campbell) in Rancho Palos Verdes. You recognize that
we do live in a very special place and that most of us have made sacrifices to enjoy our quality of life. Allowing our
neighborhoods to turn into commercial enterprises would have changed everything.
With much appreciation and respect,
•
Patrick and Amy Rumsey
Octavio Silva
From:
Kit Fox
Sent:
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 10:53 AM
To:
Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc:
Gabriella Yap
Subject:
FW: Ban of Short-term Rentals
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Completed
FYI
Kit Fox, AICP
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
(310) 544-5226
kitf@rpvca.gov
-----Original Message -----
From: Susan [mailto:sueestes@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 10:26 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>; Jack Walston <jack@twinvestmentcounsel.com>
Subject: Ban of Short-term Rentals
Thank you to all members who voted to oppose short-term rentals in RPV.
Please continue to uphold this position.
Susan M. Estes
RPV Homeowner
1
B-64
Octavio Silva
From:
Ara Mihranian
Sent:
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 11:16 AM
To:
Octavio Silva
Subject:
FW: Thanks
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Flagged
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged,
confidential and/or protected from disclosure. The information is intended only for use of the individual or entity
named. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, or
are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
-----Original Message -----
From: narinder kapoor [mailto:simrsnkaro@icloud.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 9:37 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc: PC <PC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Thanks
Dear city council members- we would like to thank you for approving the ban on short term rentals and also for very
quickly taking steps to enforce it- we live on Altisima and have been fearing for our peace of mind and safety- we
appreciate your efforts and hard work - please do keep the community values ahead of modern day commercialism and
therefore disruption of everyday citizens' lives - thank you - amar and narinder kapoor
IN
1
B-65
Octavio Silva
From: Kit Fox
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 8:12 PM
To: Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc: Gabriella Yap
Subject: Fw: Thank you for banning Short Term Rentals
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
FYI
Kit
From: Margaret Shih <marg.shih@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 8:04 PM
To: CC
Subject: Thank you for banning Short Term Rentals
Dear City Council Members and Mayor Dyda,
Thank you for banning short term rentals. It is reassuring to know that we are represented by City Council
members who have the best interest of our community in mind, and won't be corrupted by the special
interests of a few.
Sincerely,
Margaret Shih
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 7:32 PM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Octavio Silva
Subject: Thoughts about Long -Term Management of Ban on Short-term Rentals in RPV
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Ara,
Again, I want to thank you and your staff for doing a wonderful job on all of the research on short-term rentals
for the multiple city council and planning commission meetings. I have received many emails from ecstatic and
relieved residents that the city council affirmed the ban on all short-term rentals in our city. They are eagerly
looking to your office to enforce the ban.
You may already have some of this information, but in my opinion the key to effective enforcement of the ban
is being able to deter the short-term operators from advertising on the host platforms and also having a large
enough penalty for violations to act as a further deterrent.
Reaction from Short -Term Operator to Ban
Since the affirmation of the ban, I know of the following actions from these short-term rental operators:
* Robert Wu of 3664 Hightide has taking his listing down from AirBNB.
* Ying Sai, the operator who threatened to sue the city at the city council meeting, has changed her AirBNB
listing city to Beach Cities from Rancho Palos Verdes, but the listing still shows up on the AirBNB map in
RPV. She owns the two properties at 26810 Fond Du Lac and 26815 Fond Du Lac.
* Yolanda Quimbayo, the operator at 7137 Avenida Altisima, previously had four listings for individual rooms
on AirBNB. She has changed one listing to a 31 -night minimum, one listing to a 3 -night minimum, one listing
to a 1 -night minimum, and removed one listing. I believe she is planning to use the 31 -night minimum as a
cover for the rental of the two other rooms.
Also of the 86 listings in RPV from the following list on AirDNA that had been rented for at least one night
from August 16 - September 16, 16 of the listings have been removed. But it is not immediately clear to me
why 16 of the listings were removed. Here's a link to the AirDNA list:
https•//w,,vw airdna co/city/us/california/rancho-palos-verdes/top
You can click on the Listing Title to access the direct listing on AirBNB for. If you are redirected to a general
page with multiple listings, then that means that particular listings has been removed. AirDNA is a third -party
website that sells marking data for AirBNB operators.
All of the other operators continue to active listings on AirBNB. As you can see, we need to take further action
against the operators.
•
Making Advertising of Short -Term Rentals Illegal and Increasing Fines
We need to pass a city ordinance making it illegal to advertise short-term rentals. This is the most effective
method to enforce the ban. Similiarly, we need to increase the fines for violations in the advertising and the
actual rentals. Our current current fine of $100/$200/$500 for the Ist/2nd/3rd violation will not work. The fine
also needs to be assessed per day of violation because it is so lucrative for the operators to break the law. They
should not be able to profit from breaking the law. We should also give the city the power to criminally
prosecute repeat offenders. Some cities have already done so.
Here's what fines other cities are either imposing or proposing to impose:
New York - for illegal advertising of short-term rentals - $1,000 for first offense and up to $7,500 for third
offense.
Santa Monica - $500 per day for illegal rentals. Santa Monica actually fines both the operators and the hosting
platforms. Up until July of this year, AirBNB paid Santa Monica about $20,000 in fines. But then they turned
around and are now suing Santa Monica not for banning short-term rentals, but for the strict advertising
requirements Santa Monica imposes for hosts who want to rent out rooms.
Los Angeles - Los Angeles is proposing fining hosting platforms $500 per day for illegal advertising and $1,000
per day for each day the platform refuses to turn over the requested physical address of a short-term rental. The
operators will be fined a minimum of $200 per day or twice the nightly rent charged, whichever isreg ater, per
day for illegal advertising. They will also be assessed a fine of $2,000 per day for home -sharing beyond the 90
day limit per year the City of Los Angeles has imposed.
I personally think the fines proposed by Los Angeles is the best deterrent. The proposed fine of $200 per day or
twice the nightly rent charged, whichever is greater, per day for illegal advertising or actual rental would work
well for us. This will be a good deterrent and insure that the operator will not profit from their illegal rentals
even during the prosecution period.
As a separate issue, the cities that have been sued by AirBN13 such as Anaheim, San Francisco, and Anaheim,
were all seeking to imposing civil and/or criminal penalties on AirBN13 for the illegal advertising. Perhaps our
city attorney can give you guidance if we want to impose penalties on the host platforms. Even if we do not
impose actual penalties on the host platform, the city can still ask these platforms to remove illegal listings for
our city. I know Hermosa Beach has done so.
Communication to All Residents
If the City has not done so, I strongly suggest that the city inform residents via the city newsletter or similar
medium that short-term rentals are now officially illegal in our city. Many residents still do not know this
fact. Disseminating this information to the general public will allow residents to contact code enforcement if
they have problems and also deter new operators from starting operations.
Communication with Existing Short -Term Operators
Currently, short-term operators in Rancho Palos Verdes think they can operate with impunity because the city
cannot catch their illegal rentals if they do not post a picture of the front of their house. The city can go a long
way toward dispelling this myth by contacting these operators directly through AirBNB.
It is actually fairly easy for the code enforcement officer to contact these operators through the same channel
their renters use. It would be ideal if cease and desist letters can be sent to these operators through AirBNB, but
I understand that legally, there may be a issue with notice requirements through this electronic medium. At the
very least, by contacting the operators through AirBNB and letting them know the city is aware they are
operating an illegal rental, the city will have put these operators on notice.
All the city needs to do is create an AirBNB account and upload a profile picture. The profile picture does not
need to be a person; it can be a picture of anything. In fact, a picture of RPV city hall would be
appropriate. The city also does not need to use AirBNB's verification process for email addresses or mobile
numbers.
Once the account is created, the city needs to do the following to send a message directly to the operator of a
particular listing:
1. Login with account to AirBNB.
2. On the bar "Where to?" type in "Rancho Palos Verdes, CA" but do not put in any dates. After hitting
Search, all listings in RPV will show up as thumbnails.
3. Click on picture of desired thumbnail toshowlisting details.
4. From the listing detail page, click on the date box under "Check In" to verify rental is for less than 30 nights
and also check availability.
5. On the same listing detail page, click on the red "Contact Host" letters under "About this listing"
6. From the contact host page, pick any valid check-in and check-out date, then type in the city's message. This
is the place the city can put in the language for the cease and desist letter or anything else the city wants to
communicate to the host.
7. When done, then click on "Send Message".
From my testings, most operators respond within an hour. The hosts communicates with their customers
through this channel so they will get the message for certain. The city can also set up an account with a made
up guest name and just ask a general question about the rental to confirm the operator is renting short-term
rentals illegally.
Also, the city can also report an illegal listing to AirBNB directly as follows:
1. From the listing detail page, click on "Report this listing" under the check-in and check-out box on the right
side of the page.
2. Click on "Other" and then type any message the city wants to communicate with AirBNB about the listing.
With this function, the city can quickly and efficiently communicate with all short-term rental operators to let
them know the city is aware of their illegal activity. Also, if the neighbors report any violations, the city can
use this same messaging service to relay the violation to the operator as they occur. It think it will let the
operator know the city is serious about enforcing the ban.
In may be a good idea to send a cease and desist message to all active listings on the AirDNA page for Rancho
Palos Verdes referenced above.
Checking All Listings and Reviews for Operators
Some operators lists individual rooms in their homes as separate listings on AirBNB. There is also a very
simple way to see all listing an operator has on AirBNB. Do the following:
1. Make sure you are signed in with an AirBNB account. From the listing detail page, click on the picture of
the operator to take you to the "Your Host" page.
2. From the "Your Host" page, click on the operator's picture again.
3. The resulting page will show all of the operator's listings below their picture. It also combines all reviews
for all of the operator's listings on the right side of the page. The reviews will show the date they are posted and
usually contains details that the city can use as evidence of the operator's illegal rentals.
In summary, the city can use the functions on AirBNB the same way the operators' renters would. The
operators need to display all of these incriminating information because they need it to run their illegal
rentals. AirBNB has by far the most number of listings. If the city can shut down the illegal rentals on AirBNB
for RPV, then it will go a long way toward solving most of the problems.
If you think the above method of communicating with the operators is useful to the city, I would be happy to
come in to the city and explain any of the above process in more detail to Julie or any other code enforcement
officers. Please just let me know.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
Octavio Silva
From: marimond@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2016 10:23 AM
To: Octavio Silva
Cc: Ara Mihranian
Subject: Re: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hello Octavio,
Based on the City Council's vote to ban short term rentals, I was wondering where the city stands on enforcing the current
code? It appears my neighbor at 6527 Eddinghill is still running a robust motel business. 7 cars were parked out front
and on the street this morning from his guests. He is also still advertising on AirBnB with the calendar open through the
end of the year.
Please advise,
Thanks,
Doug
From: Octavio Silva <OctavioS@rpvca.gov>
To: "marimond@yahoo.com" <marimond@yahoo.com>
Cc: Kit Fox <KitF@rpvca.gov>; Gabriella Yap <gyap@rpvca.gov>; Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 8:10 AM
Subject: RE: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write the City on the topic of short-term rentals. Your email and comments are
part of the public record and will be forward to the City Council for consideration.
In order to receive the most up-to-date information regarding the issue of short-term rentals in the City of RPV,
I recommend that you visit the City's website at www.rpvca.gov and sign up with the City's list -serve to receive
email and text message updates. Please visit the link below to sign up for the list serve:
http://www. rpvca. clov/list. aspx
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 310-544-5234.
Thank you,
Octavio Silva
From: Gabriella Yap
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2016 6:10 PM
To: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>; Octavio Silva <OctavioS@rpvca.gov>
i
B-71
Cc: Kit Fox <KitF@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Sent from my Samsung device
-------- Original message --------
From: marimond(cDvahoo.com
Date: 9/3/2016 5:19 PM (GMT -08:00)
To: CC <CC cDrpvca.gov>
Cc: "Stacey A Michaels (TMS)" <samichaels223C,gmail. corn >, PC <PCCa.rpvca.gov>
Subject: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Dear RPV City Council Members,
My wife and I have lived in our Los Verdes home for over 20 years.
Since 2012 we have lived next door to a 4 room motel at 6527 Eddinghill Drive. In the 2007-2008 timeframe the owner of
this property obtained approval from the planning commission to build his family's 4,000+ sqft dream home. But instead of
using this home for family, he has four separate listings on AirBnB offering a bedroom for nightly rental and proudly claims
to have hosted hundreds of guests since.
This commercial business plunked down in our community without any public discussion or permits has changed the
character of our neighborhood in very negative ways:
• Given the four rooms being rented, cars come and go at all hours with the accompanying slamming of doors and
revving of engines. And travelers with unfamiliar rental car key fobs constantly set off car alarms day and night outside
our bedroom window.
We have motel guests trespass on our property including one woman that brazenly walked down our side -yard in an
attempt to use our trash can for a bag of dirty diapers.
• Our curbs have been blocked by cars, so we've been unable to put our trash cans in front of our house. Frequently,
we've had to put them out at noon on Sunday for a Monday pickup.
These short term rentals must be fully banned in RPV. We and our neighbors have never been given a say in
allowing this commercial business in our midst. Yet, we have to take a financial hit to our property values, deal with the
heavy increase in street traffic and reduction in safety due to the constant stream of transients near our homes.
The Planning Commission's misguided attempt to allow "responsible" owner/occupiers to rent a single room or out-
building is completely un -enforceable. How can the code enforcement staff know if those two cars parked in front are all
sharing one room? Or two? Or more? How will enforcement work on weekends?
We respectfully request that you completely ban short term rentals and direct the planning commission and staff to
draft the implementing language.
Best regards,
Doug Marimon and Stacey Michaels
6533 Eddinghill Drive
B-72
Octavio Silva
From: Ara Mihranian
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2016 12:14 PM
To: Octavio Silva; Julie Peterson
Subject: FW: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
FYI
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
L ow
C"'ITYOF il�Na 10 RALOSWRDFS
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca.gov
www. rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
Cn€s e r:w,vil message tttii)rrr;dtlon kse(onz,inr; to Vie Citv of fZandho Prai:3:; Verdes, Which inew be privileged, tonticienbr,i and/or protected from
€sclosia . kin i a n �autiera : �n°e�nc.c ,! ;rely r t� of s ae �r�eliv clti<�i or ��;i,% �aan�o ina��i9 n €ze,d dissemination, disti ibut€on, or copying is sb icd prohibited, if
-,(,)4 3 € L'CE'1Ved this Cnlail in error, o:" ar.ncA an i'1;�llcjr{; r�f?CI�3t"�i"?t, please n },ffy the sender ia)niediatel',y. thank you for your assistance and co..;,t radon .
From: marimond@yahoo.com [mailto:marimond@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2016 11:45 AM
To: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
Cc: Stacey Michaels <samichaels223@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Ara,
Here are the four listings he runs for the rooms:
tt s:llWWw.airl�nh. omlrc c�ms16600287? eckin-1 1 %2F03%2F2016&checkout=l 1 %2F06%2F2
016s=fCFmBTx�g=1
B-73
Best regards,
Doug
From: Ara Mihnankan
To: "
' � Octavio Silva
Sent: Wednesday, October 5.281O11�27AM
Subject: RE: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Doug,
Thank you for sharing the information.
The City has begun enforcing the ban.
Would you mind sending us the listing you observed OO/\i[BOB.
Ara Michael Mihranian
Community Development Director
GITY0FL I
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5228 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
ADo you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from
vmu"v".= The ".information isintended only for use of the individual or entity '~^'~`. ~^~~`--~~-------`-----` or copying—'---- If
you received this email in error, or are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
From:
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2016 10:23 AM
To: Octavio Silva <OctavioS@rpvca.gov>
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraM(5-).rpvca.gov>
Subject: Re: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Hello Octavio,
Based on the City Council's vote to ban short term rentals, I was wondering where the city stands on enforcing the current
code? It appears my neighbor at 6527 Eddinghill is still running a robust motel business. 7 cars were parked out front
and on the street this morning from his guests. He is also still advertising on AirBnB with the calendar open through the
end of the year.
Please advise,
Thanks,
Doug
............. _ _ ......... .... .........
From: Octavio Silva <OctavioS c rpvca.gov>
To: "marimond(o-)yahoo.com" <marimond(&yahoo.com>
Cc: Kit Fox <KitF(@rpvca.gov>; Gabriella Yap <gyap ,rpvca.gov>; Ara Mihranian <AraM(o-)_rpvca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 8:10 AM
Subject: RE: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write the City on the topic of short-term rentals. Your email and comments are
part of the public record and will be forward to the City Council for consideration.
In order to receive the most up-to-date information regarding the issue of short-term rentals in the City of RPV,
I recommend that you visit the City's website at w_ww.rpvca.gov and sign up with the City's list -serve to receive
email and text message updates. Please visit the link below to sign up for the list serve:
httr)://www,rovca.gov/list.aspx
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 310-544-5234.
Thank you,
Octavio Silva
From: Gabriella Yap
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2016 6:10 PM
To: Ara Mihranian <AraM(cDrpvca.gov>; Octavio Silva <OctavioSprpvca.gov>
Cc: Kit Fox <KitFrcDrpvca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Sent from my Samsung device
0
-------- Original message --------
From: marimond@yahoo.com
Date. 9/3/2016 5:19 PM (GMT -08:00)
To: CC <CC(c_rpvca.gov>
Cc: "Stacey A Michaels (TMS)" <samichaels223 aPgmail.com>, PC <PCPa rpvca.gov>
Subject: Ban Short Term Rentals - NOW!
Dear RPV City Council Members,
My wife and I have lived in our Los Verdes home for over 20 years.
Since 2012 we have lived next door to a 4 room motel at 6527 Eddinghill Drive. In the 2007-2008 timeframe the owner of
this property obtained approval from the planning commission to build his family's 4,000+ sqft dream home. But instead of
using this home for family, he has four separate listings on AirBnB offering a bedroom for nightly rental and proudly claims
to have hosted hundreds of guests since.
This commercial business plunked down in our community without any public discussion or permits has changed the
character of our neighborhood in very negative ways:
• Given the four rooms being rented, cars come and go at all hours with the accompanying slamming of doors and
revving of engines. And travelers with unfamiliar rental car key fobs constantly set off car alarms day and night outside
our bedroom window.
• We have motel guests trespass on our property including one woman that brazenly walked down our side -yard in an
attempt to use our trash can for a bag of dirty diapers.
• Our curbs have been blocked by cars, so we've been unable to put our trash cans in front of our house. Frequently,
we've had to put them out at noon on Sunday for a Monday pickup.
These short term rentals must be fully banned in RPV. We and our neighbors have never been given a say in
allowing this commercial business in our midst. Yet, we have to take a financial hit to our property values, deal with the
heavy increase in street traffic and reduction in safety due to the constant stream of transients near our homes.
The Planning Commission's misguided attempt to allow "responsible" owner/occupiers to rent a single room or out-
building is completely un -enforceable. How can the code enforcement staff know if those two cars parked in front are all
sharing one room? Or two? Or more? How will enforcement work on weekends?
We respectfully request that you completely ban short term rentals and direct the planning commission and staff to
draft the implementing language.
Best regards,
Doug Marimon and Stacey Michaels
6533 Eddinghill Drive
4
B-76
Octavio Silva
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
FYI
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
Julie Peterson
Wednesday, October 05, 2016 1:58 PM
Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Fwd: Prohibition of Short Term Rentals
Follow up
Flagged
From: t permark9L&aol.com
Date: October 3, 2016 at 7:58:32 PM EDT
To: juliepL&rpvca.>gov
Subject: Prohibition of Short Term Rentals
Dear Miss Peterson
In compliance with the City Council resolution as of September 29 1 am not taking short term rentals. I
have changed my listing on Airbnb
You may verify my listing directly with Airbnb
I will abide by this prohibition.
Sincerely
Eric Mark
6527 Eddinghill Dr.
Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. 90275
(562) 644-9418
B-77
Octavio Silva
From:
Faith B. Stapleton <fbstapleton@cox.net>
Sent:
Wednesday, October 05, 2016 5:11 PM
To:
Octavio Silva
Subject:
AirBnB
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Completed
Dear Mr.Silva:
I am curious, was AirBnB not notified of the RPV new code. RPV rentals continue to show. Should the owners of the
AirBnB site not handle this issue or be subjected to fines ... or is that not the process. The site participants may I assume,
have been notified by RPV. Thanks for your explanation.
Regards,
Faith Stapleton
fbstapleton@cox.net
1
B-78
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2016 1:08 PM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Doug Willmore; Octavio Silva; Julie Peterson; Dave Aleshire
Subject: Continuing Illegal Short -Term Rental at 7137 Avenida Altisima in Rancho Palos Verdes
Attachments: Calendar for October for Yolanda's Room 1 Illegal Rentaljpg; Calendar for November
for Yolanda's Room 1 Illegal Rental.jpg; Calendar for November for Yolanda's Room 2
Illegal Rentaljpg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Ara,
Thank you for sending out the violation letter by certified mail for my neighbor Yolanda Quimbayo for running
an illegal hotel at 7137 Avenida Altisima earlier this week. I am sure that she must have received the letter by
now, and she also knows that she is running an illegal hotel because she attended and spoke at the city council
meeting on September 20.
She continues to violate the law; today, she took a new reservation for one of her rooms for this Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday night.
Here are her listings on AirBNB:
Room #1 -
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14655015
Today, she took a new reservation for this room for this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I have included a screen
shot of her calendar. Also earlier this week, she took a reservation for this room for Nov 7 - Nov 8. 1 have
included pictures of her October and November calendar. As of today, she continues to take reservations for a
2 -night minimum for this room.
Room #2 -
https:Hw-ww.airbnb.com/rooms/I 4501616
Earlier this week, she took a reservation for Nov 24 - Nov 27. I have included a screen shot of her calendar for
this room. As of today, she continues to take reservations for a 2 -night minimum for this room.
Room #3 -
1-ittps://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14655902
As of today, she continues to take reservations for a 2 -night minimum for this room. There are no reservations
for this room. Any reservations she takes going forward will be new violations.
The fact that she is taking reservations into November indicates that she has no plans to comply. I urge you to
continue your efforts to stop Yolanda's illegal rentals. Earlier this week, she rented one of her rooms to a really
young kid with a backwards baseball cap that I felt really uncomfortable with.
It is far easier for code enforcement to catch these advertisements for illegal rentals than to catch the renters
checking in at the property. I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasize that the city council needs to
pass an ordinance to make advertising of short-term rentals illegal. The fines for illegal advertising and rentals
should both be sufficiently high to deter these operators.
Lastly, the fines should be imposed per rental unit and also per night because many operators rent out multiple
rooms in the same house with separate individual listings. In the above case, if you access fines against
Yolanda for only one of her listings, she will continue to profit from the other two rental listings.
Also, you can see that Yolanda is renting our her rooms for $78, $85, and $130 per night. If she rents out all
three rooms, then she will have income of $293 per day. Even if she is only 50% full, she will make about
$4,395 per month. So any imposed fines needs to be sufficiently high so that she cannot profit from her illegal
activity.
Again, I really like the proposed ordinance the City of Los Angles is considering. They are imposing a fine of
$200 or twice the nightly rent per day, whichever is greater, on the advertising of illegal rentals. We should
also have the fine be applied per each illegal advertising. So if an operator has three separate listings, then there
should be three separate fines.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
1
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B -R2
Octavio Silva
From: saiying@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2016 1:17 PM
To: Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Fwd: Texas Attorney General challenges city Austin Ban on STR
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Ara and Octavia,
Please see the following linked news about city ordinance on STR.
http•//www mystatesman coin/news/news/local/paxton-joins-lawsuit-challenging-austins-short-
ter/nsk8x/
Thank you,
Ying
See the link below
Paxtonj*oi*ns lawsuit
challenging Austin's
short term--- rental
ordinance
http•//www mystatesman com/news/news/local/paxton-joins-lawsuit-challenging-austins-shot-t-
ter/nsk8x/
1-0
ROOM
Octavio Silva
From:
Dorthea Montoya <dortheamontoya@msn.com>
Sent:
Thursday, October 06, 2016 3:12 PM
To:
Julie Peterson
Cc:
Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject:
Short term rental locations
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Completed
Dear Julie:
The following locations are residential and have been observed as advertising short term rentals
16 Albero Ct
Rancho Palos Verdes 90275
44 Nuvola Court
Rancho Palos Verdes 90275
Please let me know if you require additional information
Thank you
Dorthea & Michael Montoya
23 Albero Ct
Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Sent from my iPhone
B-85
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2016 5:26 PM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Octavio Silva; Julie Peterson; Doug Willmore
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Ara,
I have been getting emails from concerned residents if the City has sent out cease and desist letters to their
neighboring illegal rentals. Here's a complete list of all short-term rentals that I have verified that still have
active listings for illegal short-term rentals as of today:
Address
Owner / Host
Comment
Website
7242 Avenida Altisima
Maura - C: 310-882-8861 -
https://ww-,v.ai
H: 310-377-3063
https://www.ai
7137 Avenida Altisima
Yolanda - 310-541-6210
3 listings - 1 for each room
https://www.ai
6857 Crest Ave
Schwik
https://www.ai
https://www.ai
https://www.ai
6527 Eddinghill
Eric Mark - 310-544-0863
4 listings - 1 for each room
https://www.ai
https://www.ai
26810 Fond Du Lac
Ying Sai
Calendar blocked until 3/31/17
https://www.vi
Calendar blocked until 1/3/17; also hashttps://www.vt
26815 Fond Du Lac
Ying Sai
AirBNB listing
https://www.ai
27113 Indian Peak
Ling Tang - 424-206-9048
1lttps://www.ai
1 Rockinghorse
Paula Oliver - 310-542-
haps://ww-w.ai
8941
One house but has 2 listings - one
https://www.ai
30025 Cachan Place
Wendong
upstairs and one downstairs
https://www.ai
Three listings - whole house and 2
htts://www.ai
30181 Via Rivera
Nazee
rooms listed
https://www.ai
6971 Grovespring
Millie Lee - 310-377-7106
https://,,vww.ai
i
B-86
https://www.ai
New listing - may want to contact now https://wNNrw.ai
Neighborhood party house https://www.vr
https://www.vi
https://www.ai
9 Calle Viento Michael Yu Renting out guest house https://www.ai
Again, if you like, you can use the links I have provided to easily send these operators a message through
AirBNB or the appropriate host platform that the City knows they are still operating their illegal rentals. I
would be happy to help with that if you like.
Please keep in mind that the above list are only for those listings that we are able to match with actual physical
addresses. There are other listings on AirBNB and other platforms for which we do not have physical
addresses, but again, those operators can easily be contacted through AirBNB to be notified that the city knows
,about their illegal listings and to stop their activity. Some of these operators may not even know that short-term
rentals are illegal in our city.
It may be productive to send a simple message through AirBNB to any new listings that short-term rentals are
not allowed in our city. Hopefully, the advance warning will prevent them from starting their illegal activity.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
i
Kevin Biggers &
30141 Via Victoria
Katherine E. Adkinds -
310-377-0659
30169 Matisse
David & Amy Klein
Mark Paolucci - 310-346-
24 Narcissa
6084
Andrea Joannou - 310-
14 Limetree
941-7777
Masters Touch Ministries
6329 Tarragon
Intl / Lisa is Host
https://www.ai
New listing - may want to contact now https://wNNrw.ai
Neighborhood party house https://www.vr
https://www.vi
https://www.ai
9 Calle Viento Michael Yu Renting out guest house https://www.ai
Again, if you like, you can use the links I have provided to easily send these operators a message through
AirBNB or the appropriate host platform that the City knows they are still operating their illegal rentals. I
would be happy to help with that if you like.
Please keep in mind that the above list are only for those listings that we are able to match with actual physical
addresses. There are other listings on AirBNB and other platforms for which we do not have physical
addresses, but again, those operators can easily be contacted through AirBNB to be notified that the city knows
,about their illegal listings and to stop their activity. Some of these operators may not even know that short-term
rentals are illegal in our city.
It may be productive to send a simple message through AirBNB to any new listings that short-term rentals are
not allowed in our city. Hopefully, the advance warning will prevent them from starting their illegal activity.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
i
Octavio Silva
From: Ying Sai <yingsai@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 11:31 AM
To: Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Airbnb offering Hurricane Matthew evacuees FREE accommodation as Florida battens
down for 140mph storm
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
HI Ara and Octavia,
Please see this news about how STR help cities respond to disasters.
http•//www mirror co uk/news/world-news/airbnb-offering-hurricane-matthew-evacuees-8994417
Thank you,
Ying
703KOTO-1
••
Octavio Silva
From: Ying Sai <yingsai@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 11:34 AM
To: Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Airbnb Offering Rentals for $0 to Those Affected by Hurricane Matthew
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
More news came in.
Ying
http://abenews.go.com/Lifestyle/airbnb-offering-rentals-affected-hurricane-matthew-/story?id=4264')862
Airbnb Offering Rentals for $0 to Those
Affected by Hurricane Matthew
As Hurricane Matthew hits the Florida coast this morning, bringing with it powerful winds strong
enough to knock out power for thousands of residents and causing millions of others to evacuate,
Airbnb is hoping to come to the aid of those affected by the storm.
The rent -a -room company activated its Disaster Response Program Thursday that allows willing
participants to "open their doors to those in need or find emergency accommodations," according to
the progrann's \,vchsite-
Hurricane Matthew was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds at 2 a.m. ET
today.
Lashkes U'lorid-a With 1,00 MMI Winds
C(n,""'ital Residenas staying I,ut a's Iluirricane Matthew fleadsToward Sontheast 'I'S
As of today, the program is activated in parts of Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. That means
more than 3,000 homes are available to those in need for $0.
Any type of accommodation is offered currently on the website from a"coafl.'Ycouclis* in Orlando to
an o.ni.irc \ illa in Davenport, Florida.
Airbnb spokesman Nick Shapiro in a statement to ABC News added, "We encourage hosts in safe,
inland areas to aid in this effort by listing their available rooms or homes on the platform to help the
I
growing number of evacuees. This is the first major hurricane threat this area has seen in years, and
we are hopeful that Airbnb can help play a small part in making the evacuation process easier for
residents and their families. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone impacted by the storm, and
we thank the dedicated government and emergency response personnel who are keeping our
communities safe."
Airbnb's Disaster Response Program was created after I WITiC"VIC �".Iandy hit the New York area in
2012. More than 1,000 Airbnb hosts in New York opened their homes free of charge.
I
Octavio Silva
From:
Kit Fox
Sent:
Monday, October 10, 2016 8:06 AM
To:
Octavio Silva; Ara Mihranian
Cc:
Gabriella Yap
Subject:
FW: Enforcement short term rentals
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Completed
FYI
Kit Fox, AICP
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
(310) 544-5226
kitf@rpvca.gov
-----Original Message -----
From: narinder kapoor [mailto:simrankaro@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 8:04 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Enforcement short term rentals
Dear sir- we are writing to ask the City Council to follow through with action to enforce the ban on short term rentals -
since airBNB allows advertising on their site whether the homes are in zoned areas for rentals or not- and small fines will
not deter these people either- thank you - Amar and Narinder Kapoor - avenida Altisima
9
i
B-91
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 2:01 PM
To: CC
Cc: Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva; Doug Willmore; Dave Aleshire
Subject: Status of Short -Term Rentals in RPV - Need to Ban Advertising and Impose Higher Fines
Attachments: Tour Bus Parked in Front of Crest AirBNB on Sunday October 9 2016 jpg; Tour Bus
Parked from Back in Front of Crest AirBNB on Sunday October 9 2016.jpg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear Mayor Dyda and Members of the City Council,
Thank you very much for having the foresight to affirm the ban on short-term rentals in single family areas in
our city on September 20, 2016. Many residents are very happy and hope to get relief from all of the problems
these short-term rentals have caused in our city. It has been three weeks now, and here are the responses I am
aware of from the operators of these illegal short-term rentals:
Reaction from Short -Term Operator to Ban
* Robert Wu of 3664 Hightide has taken his listing down from AirBNB.
* The absentee owner of 6857 Crest Ave continues to advertise and rent his house illegally. His calendar
shows that he is booked on on almost all weekends from now through December 2016. This past Sunday night,
the renters hired a tour bus, and it was parked in front of the house on Crest where the road takes a dangerous
blind curve. I have enclosed pictures showing how the tour bus is causing a dangerous condition in front of the
house. There is no reason for a tour bus to be on a residential street.
* Ying Sai, the operator who threatened to sue the city at the city council meeting, has changed her AirBNB
listing city to Beach Cities from Rancho Palos Verdes, but the listing still shows up on the AirBNB map in
RPV. She owns the two properties at 26810 Fond Du Lac and 26815 Fond Du Lac.
* Maura Mizuguchi (7242 Avenida Altisima), Yolanda Quimbayo (7137 Avenida Altisima), Eric Mark (6527
Eddinghill Dr.) , and most of the operators of the illegal rentals continue to advertise their properties on
AirBNB.
Affirming the ban on short-term rentals is a good start, but in order to effectively enforce the ban, we need to
prohibit the advertising of short-term rentals and also increase the fines for advertising and the actual rentals of
these illegal hotels.
Making Advertising Lof Short -Term Rentals Illegal and Increasin Fines
ines
Prohibiting and fining for the advertising of short-term rentals is the most efficient way to enforce the ban. The
operators need to advertise on the internet in order to reach their customers, and it is far easier for the code
enforcement officer to search online for advertisements than to try to catch renters checking in. Also, most
renters check in to these illegal hotels in the late afternoon toward the end of the code enforcement officer's
work day. It would also be impractical for a code enforcement to stake out a house waiting for a renter to
check-in.
We need to increase the existing fines for violating the ban. Our current current fines of $100/$200/$500 for the
1 st/2nd/3rd violation will not work. A whole -house rental in Rancho Palos Verdes can fetch the owner as much
as $1,000 per day. The owner of 6857 Crest Ave has rented out his house at $840 per night for 13 nights in
October; so he make at least $10,920 from his illegal operation this month. So the owner will still net at least
$10,000 per month even after paying the current fines.
If the city takes time to issue the first, second, and third notices of violation, the owner will still continue to
make money while the neighbors suffer. For these reasons, the fines will need to be assessed per day of
violation because it is so lucrative for the operators to break the law. They should not be able to profit while
they are breaking the law. If the operator continues to violate the law, the city should have the power to
criminally prosecute repeat offenders. Some cities have already done so.
Any future fines should be assessed per individual room or individual listing and not necessarily per property
because some operators lists rooms in the same house for rent as separate individual listings. For example,
Yolanda Quimbayo at 7137 Avenida Altisima lists three rooms for rent in her home as three separate listings,
and Eric Mark at 6527 Eddinghill lists four rooms for rent as four separate listings. Any future fines should be
assessed per individual room or individual listing and not necessarily per property.
Here's what fines other cities are either imposing or proposing to impose:
New York - for illegal advertising of short-term rentals - $1,000 for first offense and up to $7,500 for third
offense.
Santa Monica - $500 per day for illegal rentals.
Los Angeles - The operators will be fined a minimum of $200 per day or twice the nightly rent charged,
whichever isreg ater per day for illegal advertising. They will also be assessed a fine of $2,000 per day for the
actual illegal rental of rooms.
I personally think the fines proposed by Los Angeles is the best deterrent. The proposed fine of $200 per day or
twice the nightly rent charged, whichever is greater, per day for illegal advertising or actual rental would work
well for us. This will be a good deterrent and insure that the operator will not profit from their illegal rentals
even during the prosecution period.
Communication with Existing Short -Term Operators
Currently, short-term operators in Rancho Palos Verdes think they can operate with impunity because the city
cannot catch their illegal rentals as long as they do not post a picture of the front of their house. The city can go
a long way toward dispelling this myth by drafting an ordinance to allow code enforcement to send out notices
of violation electronically through the same hosting platform these operators use. Most operators monitor
communication from the hosting platforms on a regular basis because it is the same channel their customers use
to make new reservations. In fact, most operators respond within an hour.
Here's a example of the inadequacy of the current fines for violating the ban. When an operator was informed
through the hosting platform that a newly made illegal future reservation was going to be reported to the city for
enforcement, the operator responded immediately by approving the sender of the message to book rooms with
the operator. But this example shows that the most efficient way to communicate with these illegal rental
operators is through the hosting platform.
In summary, in order to effectively enforce the ban on short-term rentals in our city, I strongly suggest the city
council do the following:
* Pass an ordinance to prohibit the advertising of short-term rentals in any form.
* Impose fines for advertising of short-term rentals and set these fines high enough to act as a deterrent.
* Increase current fines for illegal short-term rentals high enough to act as a deterrent.
* In order for the fines for both advertising and actual illegal rentals to be effective, the following
considerations should be taken into account:
- Fines should be assessed per day of violation.
- Fines should be assessed per listing for each property because some properties has multiple listings.
- Operators should not be able to profit during the prosecution period.
* Repeated violations of ban on short-term rentals should result in criminal prosecution.
I strongly believe that we need to give the tools for code enforcement to effectively enforce the ban of short-
term rentals in our city because our current fines for violations are insufficient. Our residents are eagerly
awaiting for relief from the problems these short-term rentals have caused. I thank you very much for all of
your service to our community and beautiful city.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
1-0
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Octavio Silva
From: Karen & Chan <keyshiao@cox.net>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 3:54 PM
To: CC
Cc: Ara Mihranian; Octavio Silva
Subject: Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ban
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for voting to uphold the ban on short term rental (STR) in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes during
the September 2016 City Council meeting. As you can see from the turn out of that particular hearing, RPV
residents are passionate about keeping and maintaining the residential nature of our city. Allowing STR to
continue to exist is in direct contradiction to the will of the people. We are fortunate to have a governing body
in our city that listens to the voices of its constituents.
However, passing of the ban on STR is only the first step. The city must now make certain that the law is in full
compliance by the STR operators. As of today, these illegal STR operations are still on going. For instance, my
neighbor, Yolanda Quimbayo, continues to advertise and rent out 3 rooms at 7137 Avenida Altisima. The
continued flow of strangers loitering less than 20 yards from our house is a severe impingement on the
enjoyment of our home. A picture evidencing this infringement by unknown individuals is attached hereto for
your consideration. In the meanwhile, the STR operators are profiting at the expense of everyone else and doing
so with impunity. They will not cease engaging in a money making, albeit illegal, activity unless compelled to
do so by the authority, aka the city enforcement unit.
Hence, it is imperative that the city enact ordinances or procedures with sufficiently punitive consequences for
those who purposely break laws for their own financial gains. Since STR operators reach their guests mostly via
online advertising, fines must be set high enough for each incident of advertisement and each night of actual
rental. If the fine is not set high enough, it would not serve as a deterrent for these STR operators because they
can easily cover the fine from their rental profit. As for repeat offenders, the city should consider criminal
prosecution just like any other perpetrators of illegal enterprises.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and your invaluable service to our city. We anxiously await a
resolution to this important issues.
i i
Karen Chuang
Sent from my Whone
Octavio Silva
From:
Ara Mihranian
Sent:
Monday, October 10, 2016 9:37 PM
To:
Octavio Silva
Subject:
FW: Air BNB on Hightide Dr.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
FYI..
From: gregmitre [mailto:gregmitre@cox.net]
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 6:23 AM
To: Anthony Misetich <AnthonyM@rpvca.gov>; Susan Brooks <SusanB@rpvca.gov>; Ken Dyda <kendyda@verizon.net>
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Air BNB on Hightide Dr.
All,
Here is a series of photos taken Sunday, October 1 Oth at the residence on Hightide Drive that is currently being
rented out on a nightly basis. This is not the current registered owner Mr. Hu or his family. I also observed this
group unloading luggage in the evening on Saturday the 8th.
Enforcement of the prohibition of short term rentals needs to be a top priority to discourage owners of such
properties from skirting the law or thinking they can alter their advertising methods and still continue their
business. We here on Hightide are ready, willing, and able to provide documentation of this business continuing
to be operated out of this home and will continue to fight to stop this illegal practice.
Thank you,
Greg Mitre
3719 Hightide Drive
Hi Greg,
Hope you and Carmen are doing well! This morning the AirBnB renters were leaving so I took
some photos. The photos were taken this morning at noon. Here they are if you are collecting
evidence. Let me know if there is anything more we can do.
Sincerely
Margaret
` +
-loonv
i
B-103
Sent from iphone
Octavio Silva
From: Faith B.Stapleton <fbstapleton@cox.net>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 8:15 PM
To: Octavio Silva
Subject: Fwd: Status of Short -Term Rentals in RPV - Need to Ban Advertising and Impose Higher
Fines
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
I give this letter my full support, make it happen City of RPV.
Faith Stapleton
Begin forwarded message:
te:
Hi,
Here's an email I sent to the city council about increasing the fines
on short-term rentals. Please send them your own thoughts on this
matter if you wish. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Huang <mikeh 7a laxy cr,gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 2:01 PM
Subject: Status of Short -Term Rentals in RPV - Need to Ban
Advertising and Impose Higher Fines
To: cc cr,rpvca. oovv
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraMCa)rpvca.gov>, Octavio Silva
<octavios@rpvca.gov>, Doug Wilmore <DWillmore@rpvca.gov>,
Dave Aleshire <daleshirenawattorneys.com>
Dear Mayor Dyda and Members of the City Council,
Thank you very much for having the foresight to affirm the ban on
short-term rentals in single family areas in our city on September
20, 2016. Many residents are very happy and hope to get relief
from all of the problems these short-term rentals have caused in
our city. It has been three weeks now, and here are the responses I
am aware of from the operators of these illegal short-term rentals:
Reaction from Short -Term Operator to Ban
B-105
* Robert Wu of 3664 Hightide has taken his listing down from
AirBNB.
* The absentee owner of 6857 Crest Ave continues to advertise
and rent his house illegally. His calendar shows that he is booked
on on almost all weekends from now through December
2016. This past Sunday night, the renters hired a tour bus, and it
was parked in front of the house on Crest where the road takes a
dangerous blind curve. I have enclosed pictures showing how the
tour bus is causing a dangerous condition in front of the
house. There is no reason for a tour bus to be on a residential
street.
* Ying Sai, the operator who threatened to sue the city at the city
council meeting, has changed her AirBNB listing city to Beach
Cities from Rancho Palos Verdes, but the listing still shows up on
the AirBNB map in RPV. She owns the two properties at 26810
Fond Du Lac and 26815 Fond Du Lac.
* Maura Mizuguchi (7242 Avenida Altisima), Yolanda Quimbayo
(7137 Avenida Altisima), Eric Mark (6527 Eddinghill Dr.) , and
most of the operators of the illegal rentals continue to advertise
their properties on AirBNB.
Affirming the ban on short-term rentals is a good start, but in order
to effectively enforce the ban, we need to prohibit the advertising
of short-term rentals and also increase the fines for advertising and
the actual rentals of these illegal hotels.
Making Advertising of Short -Term Rentals Illegal and Increasing
Fines
Prohibiting and fining for the advertising of short-term rentals is
the most efficient way to enforce the ban. The operators need to
advertise on the internet in order to reach their customers, and it is
far easier for the code enforcement officer to search online for
advertisements than to try to catch renters checking in. Also, most
renters check in to these illegal hotels in the late afternoon toward
the end of the code enforcement officer's work day. It would also
be impractical for a code enforcement to stake out a house waiting
for a renter to check-in.
We need to increase the existing fines for violating the ban. Our
current current fines of $100/$200/$500 for the I st/2nd/3rd
violation will not work. A whole -house rental in Rancho Palos
Verdes can fetch the owner as much as $1,000 per day. The owner
of 6857 Crest Ave has rented out his house at $840 per night for 13
nights in October; so he make at least $10,920 from his illegal
0 1 •
operation this month. So the owner will still net at least $10,000
per month even after paying the current fines.
If the city takes time to issue the first, second, and third notices of
violation, the owner will still continue to make money while the
neighbors suffer. For these reasons, the fines will need to be
assessed per day of violation because it is so lucrative for the
operators to break the law. They should not be able to profit while
they are breaking the law. If the operator continues to violate the
law, the city should have the power to criminally prosecute repeat
offenders. Some cities have already done so.
Any future fines should be assessed per individual room or
individual listing and not necessarily per property because some
operators lists rooms in the same house for rent as separate
individual listings. For example, Yolanda Quimbayo at 7137
Avenida Altisima lists three rooms for rent in her home as three
separate listings, and Eric Mark at 6527 Eddinghill lists four rooms
for rent as four separate listings. Any future fines should be
assessed per individual room or individual listing and not
necessarily per property.
Here's what fines other cities are either imposing or proposing to
impose:
New York - for illegal advertising of short-term rentals - $1,000
for first offense and up to $7,500 for third offense.
Santa Monica - $500 per day for illegal rentals.
Los Angeles - The operators will be fined a minimum of $200 per
day or twice the nightly rent charged, whichever isreg ater, per day
for illegal advertising. They will also be assessed a fine of $2,000
per day for the actual illegal rental of rooms.
I personally think the fines proposed by Los Angeles is the best
deterrent. The proposed fine of $200 per day or twice the nightly
rent charged, whichever is greater, per day for illegal advertising or
actual rental would work well for us. This will be a good deterrent
and insure that the operator will not profit from their illegal rentals
even during the prosecution period.
Communication with Existing Short -Term Operators
Currently, short-term operators in Rancho Palos Verdes think they
can operate with impunity because the city cannot catch their
illegal rentals as long as they do not post a picture of the front of
their house. The city can go a long way toward dispelling this
myth by drafting an ordinance to allow code enforcement to send
B-107
out notices of violation electronically through the same hosting
platform these operators use. Most operators monitor
communication from the hosting platforms on a regular basis
because it is the same channel their customers use to make new
reservations. In fact, most operators respond within an hour.
Here's a example of the inadequacy of the current fines for
violating the ban. When an operator was informed through the
hosting platform that a newly made illegal future reservation was
going to be reported to the city for enforcement, the operator
responded immediately by approving the sender of the message to
book rooms with the operator. But this example shows that the
most efficient way to communicate with these illegal rental
operators is through the hosting platform.
In summary, in order to effectively enforce the ban on short-term
rentals in our city, I strongly suggest the city council do the
following:
* Pass an ordinance to prohibit the advertising of short-term
rentals in any form.
* Impose fines for advertising of short-term rentals and set these
fines high enough to act as a deterrent.
* Increase current fines for illegal short-term rentals high enough
to act as a deterrent.
* In order for the fines for both advertising and actual illegal
rentals to be effective, the following considerations should be
taken into account:
- Fines should be assessed per day of violation.
- Fines should be assessed per listing for each property because
some properties has multiple listings.
- Operators should not be able to profit during the prosecution
period.
* Repeated violations of ban on short-term rentals should result in
criminal prosecution.
I strongly believe that we need to give the tools for code
enforcement to effectively enforce the ban of short-term rentals in
our city because our current fines for violations are
insufficient. Our residents are eagerly awaiting for relief from the
problems these short-term rentals have caused. I thank you very
much for all of your service to our community and beautiful city.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
0 , •
Octavio Silva
From: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 1:06 AM
To: Ara Mihranian
Cc: Octavio Silva; Karen & Chan; Julie Peterson
Subject: Fwd: Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ban
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Ara,
Thank you for sending another letter to Yolanda for her illegal rental. Hopefully, the city council will also
enact ordinances to give you guys the tools to properly enforce the ban. On Sunday, when I found out that
Yolanda took a new reservation for one of her listings for November 18 - November 19, I sent her a message
via AirBNB indicating that her rental reservation is illegal and will be forwarded to the city for
prosecution. She responded by pre -approving me to rent that room. Here's a screen shot from that
exchange. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I will continue to infonn you of
further violations, but the fact that Yolanda still has her listings on AirBNB tells me that she is does not plan to
stop her rentals unless she is compelled. Thank you.
B-110
'erified
Yolanda
us
5 verifications • 22 reviews
Trip details
Comfy Private Bedroom in RPV, a
Peaceful Home!
Check in Check out
Mon, Oct 10 ' Fri, Oct 14
Guests
1 guest
Payment
$54 x 4 nights $216
Cleaning fee $15
Service fee $28
Total $259
You can see from above that I sent her the message at 3:43 P.M. She responded immediately at 3:44 P.M. by
pre -approving me to rent her room. Please note that in order to send this message to her, I had to specify dates
2
B-111
for my inquiry. I arbitrarily choose October 10th - October 14th as you can see from the left side of the
screen. This exchange shows her attitude toward the ban, but it also shows that these operators can easily be
reached almost instantaneously via these hosting platforms. If the city council will give you the authority to
issue the notices of violations electronically, enforcement will be much easier. Again, these operators monitor
these communications closely on AirbBNB because they get new reservations through this channel. Please do
not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the above exchange. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Mike Huang
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Karen & Chan <keyshiao@cox.net>
Date: Tue, Oct 11, 2016 at 12:35 AM
Subject: Fwd: Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ban
To: Michael Huang <mikehgalaxy@gmail.com>
FYI
Karen
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ara Mihranian <AraMkrpvca.gov>
Date: October 10, 2016 at 9:57:42 PM PDT
To: 'Karen & Chan' <keyshiaogcox.net>, CC <CC@Tpvca.gov>
Cc: Octavio Silva <OctavioS a,rpvca. og_v>
Subject: RE: Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ban
Karen,
Thank you for your email.
It is now part of the public record and will be provided to the Council at the October 18t" meeting.
I know you and Michael are monitoring the activity at your neighbor's property and keeping the city
informed.
In light of this information, another letter will go out to the property owner.
Ara
From: Karen & Chan [mailto:keyshiao@cox.net]
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 3:54 PM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
B-112
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>; Octavio Silva <OctavioS@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Enforcement of Short Term Rental Ban
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for voting to uphold the ban on short teen rental (STR) in the city of Rancho Palos
Verdes during the September 2016 City Council meeting. As you can see from the turn out of
that particular hearing, RPV residents are passionate about keeping and maintaining the
residential nature of our city. Allowing STR to continue to exist is in direct contradiction to the
will of the people. We are fortunate to have a governing body in our city that listens to the voices
of its constituents.
However, passing of the ban on STR is only the first step. The city must now make certain that
the law is in full compliance by the STR operators. As of today, these illegal STR operations are
still on going. For instance, my neighbor, Yolanda Quimbayo, continues to advertise and rent out
3 rooms at 7137 Avenida Altisima. The continued flow of strangers loitering less than 20 yards
from our house is a severe impingement on the enjoyment of our home. A picture evidencing this
infringement by unknown individuals is attached hereto for your consideration. In the
meanwhile, the STR operators are profiting at the expense of everyone else and doing so with
impunity. They will not cease engaging in a money making, albeit illegal, activity unless
compelled to do so by the authority, aka the city enforcement unit.
Hence, it is imperative that the city enact ordinances or procedures with sufficiently punitive
consequences for those who purposely break laws for their own financial gains. Since STR
operators reach their guests mostly via online advertising, fines must be set high enough for each
incident of advertisement and each night of actual rental. If the fine is not set high enough, it
would not serve as a deterrent for these STR operators because they can easily cover the fine
from their rental profit. As for repeat offenders, the city should consider criminal prosecution just
like any other perpetrators of illegal enterprises.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and your invaluable service to our city. We
anxiously await a resolution to this important issues.
B-113
pow,,
. NO.r
Karen Chuang
Sent from my Whone
B-115