Title
Chief Administrative Office and Planning and Building Department recommending the Board receive a presentation on the West Slope Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Program Ad Hoc Committee recommendations and provide direction to staff regarding potential amendments to the VHR Ordinance.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 21, 2025 (Legistar File 25-1742) the Board voted to create the West Slope VHR Ad Hoc Committee. Board Supervisors Ferrero and Turnboo were appointed to the Ad Hoc. The Board provided the following direction to the Committee: 1) Focus the review and recommendations specifically on the West Slope region; 2) Evaluate potential changes to buffer zones between vacation home rentals; 3) Assess the inclusion of both attached and detached structures in the program; 4) Review Code Enforcement data, including the number and types of violations; and 5) Ensure that the proposed ordinance is consistent with existing County ordinances, particularly those related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Ranch Marketing, and Agricultural Lodging.
To this end, the Ad Hoc Committee conducted several meetings focused on the Board direction. After many deliberations, review of code enforcement data and other County codes, and engagement with the public, the group coalesced around a solid set of recommendations that aim to achieve the goals that the Board set out for the Ad Hoc. Those recommendations are outlined below. The Agricultural Lodging effort is moving forward on a separate track, and these proposals do not interfere with that progress.
VHR Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation
The VHR Ad Hoc Committee recommends that staff return to the Board with a first reading of a VHR Ordinance amendment to include the following:
1. Restore the “plus 2” to the occupancy standard on the West Slope, which is currently set at 2 per bedroom,
2. Remove the 500 foot buffer around hosted home rentals on the west slope,
3. Allow ‘detached’ guest houses (along with...
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