Goleta Approves Short-Term Rental Rules

City officials have nailed down new short-term vacation rental rules.

The approved regulations will allow for restrictions on homes that are rented out for less than 30 days at a time.

The City Council voted 4-1, with Councilmember Roger Aceves dissenting.

If property owners in Goleta want to rent out their home on the weekends, they will now have to get a license first.

Some residents are relieved but they want even tighter restrictions.

“It’s a step in the right direction. I wish we didn’t have short-term rentals, to be honest with you, because I don’t think it’s the proper thing in a residential neighborhood. It just doesn’t work, in my opinion,” said Bob Freeman.

Under the new ordinance, the number of guests is limited.

“The limitation on number of occupants per vacation rental is two plus two for each bedroom,” said Vyto Adomaitis, the Goleta Neighborhood Services & Public Safety director.

Property owners will have to pay a one-time fee of $75 to register the house. That cost is much lower than the required $600 fee for Ventura residents. Ventura has had short-term rental laws on the books for eight years.

“Let’s get this thing started,” said Mayor Pro- Tem Jim Farr.

Property owners will have to notify neighbors within 200 feet and have a plan for responding to complaints if the renters get out of hand.

“It’s going to be able to allow us to help the neighbors that may experience problems,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.

“We’re talking about overcrowding, too many people, too loud of parties, too many vehicles. Some of the disturbances that we’ve seen in the past,” said Adomaitis.

If the owners do not comply with the rules, a $1,500 bond to the city will be revoked.

“I’m very, very relieved that we now have an avenue to keep our neighborhood good,” said resident Connie Cornwell.

The approved ordinance takes effect in 31 days, which is March 19.