County moratorium on short-term rentals could be extended
Supervisors to mull ordinance as housing impact evaluated
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting today is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider extending a temporary moratorium suspending the establishment of new shortterm rentals, according to today’s meeting agenda.
Supervisors, in November, adopted an ordinance temporarily suspending the establishment of new short-term rentals in all land use designations throughout the unincorporated area of the county, with an effective date of December 6, 2022.
The board adopted this ordinance in order to preserve residential housing for potential long-term use while staff and decision makers study the impact of short-term rentals on residential and workforce housing and develop a comprehensive housing strategy for the unincorporated county.
The housing strategy could include the creation of designated areas, specific to short-term rentals, and any adjustments to the regulation of shortterm rentals per current county code.
During the board’s meeting in November, a number of county residents opposed the moratorium, stating that obtaining a short-term rental permit factored into the financing of their primary residences.
Supervisors incorporated some allowances at the time so those property owners who were just about to pull building permits for potential shortterm rentals could do so.
At this time, according to the agenda, county staff needs more time to accomplish these goals and, in the meantime, request an extension of the current moratorium.
The request is to extend the moratorium through Nov. 25, 2023, though it could be lifted at any time by board action.
The board is scheduled to meet in regular session at 10 a.m. today with the agenda available at the county website, www.inyocounty.us. The meeting will be held in the Board Chambers at the County Administrative Center in Independence, 224 N. Edwards St. You can stream meetings live and participate via Zoom through the county’s website.