By Andrea Papagianis
Owners of short-term vacation rentals in Dana Point and Capistrano Beach have until Wednesday, January 15 to apply for an operating permit with the city of Dana Point.
Debate over the practice’s legality was at the forefront of discussion in the city for years. With city code being silent on the matter, such rentals were considered illegal by the city but went unenforced.
In April, the Dana Point City Council adopted an ordinance to allow and regulate rentals of less than 30 days. And through a series of votes has permitted such rentals to operate in residential neighborhoods so long as the neighborhood association allows them.
Now, vacation rentals are considered businesses and must be in compliance with certain health and safety codes to receive a permit. The rentals will also be subject to the city’s 10 percent transient occupancy tax. The tax is already applied to hotels and campsites and it is the city’s largest source of revenue.
The permitting process requires submittal of an application, payment of a $150 permitting fee and a safety inspection prior to issuance. While agents may represent property owners, the city requires all applications to be signed by an owner and notarized.
Go to www.danapoint.org to download the permit application and inspection checklist. Also, see below for the application.
Short-term Vacation Rental Application, from the City of Dana Point (www.danapoint.org)
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