Marina City Council aims to end vacation rental debate

Marina City Council voted 3-1 to amend its short-term rental ordinance while declining to reopen the debate for further public comment at last week’s meeting. The changes include a provision barring homes with accessory dwelling units built after January 1, 2020, from obtaining STR permits. The decision follows an ongoing lawsuit between the Monterey County Vacation Rental Alliance and the county of Monterey over provisions in the county’s “Vacation Rental Law,” which is accused of treating nonresident and non-individual owners differently and may be unconstitutional. City staff recommended tweaks to Marina’s definitions so residency eligibility can be satisfied through a long-term leaseholder or titleholder, using a lease or rental agreement as residency documentation. The council’s broader STR limits previously set a 50-permit cap, 180-night maximum, and a 55-foot separation between units.