🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Dana Point, CA
Dana Point Council Approves Fast-Track for STR Permits Amid Community Pushback
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
Dana Point Council Approves Fast-Track for STR Permits Amid Community Pushback
Short-term rental operators in Dana Point just got a boost, as city staff can now approve certain STR permits without waiting for the usual council OK. The decision, passed by a 4-1 vote on May 6, applies to primary, homestay, and multi-family homestay vacation rentals outside the coastal zone—as long as they don’t push the city’s permit numbers over the cap.
Councilmember Jamey Federico says these rentals are less likely to cause problems.
“We generally know those are lower risk,” he said. But not everyone agrees. Councilmember Michael Villar voted against the change, worried the city is moving too fast. “I like our approach of opening up permits really soft and quiet to make sure we’re hitting every step,” he said.
The tension reflects growing frustration among Dana Point residents about STRs.
At the May 6 meeting, resident Susan Bernard said STRs have “destroyed the fabric of our community,” blaming them for noise, trash, and rowdy guests.
Based from short term rental program review from City Council's last meeting, Dana Point has 111 permits allowed in the coastal zone (96 active) and 115 outside the coastal zone (59 active). The council also approved 15 new permits outside the coastal zone, moving them off the waitlist.
With over $16 million in bed tax revenue flowing in from STRs this year, Dana Point faces a tricky balancing act: keeping the money coming in while addressing community concerns.
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