Short-Term Vacation Rentals In Murrieta: New Ordinance Gets OK

MURRIETA, CA — After a series of workshops, public hearings, and input from residents, on Monday the Murrieta City Council voted 4-1 to move forward with an ordinance that allows “hosted” short-term vacation rentals to continue in the city and it sets up a framework for “non-hosted” properties.

The ordinance was drafted as a result of an increase in the number of community complaints about vacation rentals in the city, such as noise, overcrowding, trash and safety concerns. In some cases, police were called to break up loud late-night parties at rentals, according to city documents.

“Another major concern of residents is that the increase in the number of short-term vacation rentals is adversely changing the character of single-family residential neighborhoods,” the documents stated.

One of the benefits to the city as part of the new ordinance is the collection of a Transient Occupancy Tax. The tax paid by the vacationers — which according to Murrieta’s municipal code is 10 percent of the rent charged by the operator — will help pay for city streets, parks and libraries, the city has stated.

City documents showed that hosted vacation rentals — where the owner is onsite — represent an estimated 40 percent of the city’s total short-term rental properties.

Non-hosted short-term vacation properties will only be permitted in larger estate and rural-zoned areas of the city (zoned ER2 and ER1).

A second reading of the ordinance will take place at an Oct. 20 City Council meeting dedicated solely to short-term rentals.

If passed, the ordinance will take effect in late December 2020 with enforcement to begin in early 2021.