🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Avalon, CA
Avalon’s STR Rules: Caps, Fines, and a 30-Minute Rule
Avalon Sets a New Course for Vacation Rentals
The short-term rental game in Avalon is about to get a serious rulebook rewrite. On August 5, City Council unanimously advanced an ordinance that tightens licensing requirements, sets a firm cap on the number of units, and introduces steep fines for repeat troublemakers.
The update follows the end of Avalon’s STR moratorium on July 30. Under the proposed ordinance, the city will allow no more than 410 STR units—including transient occupancy licenses, CUPs, and grandfathered properties. City Manager David Maistros says that number could be reached in as little as six months.
One of the standout changes is a three-strikes rule: if a property racks up three adjudicated violations—whether ruled on by the Planning Commission, City Council, or the courts—the license or CUP gets revoked permanently. New owners can apply for a license, but the right to rent doesn’t transfer with the sale.
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The fines are no slap on the wrist. Serious violations tied to public health and safety start at $1,500 for the first offense, climb to $3,000 for the second, and hit $5,000 for the third. Lesser violations—like non-threatening nuisances—carry fines of $100, $200, and $500 for repeat infractions within a year.
✨ Other notable updates:
âś… STR licenses are now officially residential uses under state law.
âś… Owners must attend licensing hearings in person or virtually.
✅ An STR agent must respond to complaints within 30 minutes—fast enough to keep situations from escalating.
✅ The city is considering an annual “license day” lottery system to fill open spots, instead of a rolling waitlist.
Avalon’s 24/7 monitoring system will be used to track violations, and city staff will revisit the rules every year to see if they’re working. The Coastal Commission has also pushed for at least 10 uses per unit annually to keep visitor access alive.
For STR operators, the new ordinance sends a clear message: Avalon welcomes rentals—but only when they’re run responsibly.
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