TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Quinn M. Barrow, City Attorney
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance and Introducing an Ordinance Increasing Fines for Violations of Municipal Code Chapter 4.88 Relating to Short-Term Rentals and Other Transient Uses Pursuant to State Law (City Attorney Barrow).
A) ADOPT URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 26-0008-U
B) INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 26-0008
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 26-0008-U and introduce Ordinance No. 26-0008 to increase fines for violations of Municipal Code Chapter 4.88 relating to short-term rentals and other transient uses pursuant to State Law.
BACKGROUND:
Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Chapter 4.88 prohibits short-term rentals and transient uses in the City, except with respect to properties located within the City's Coastal Zone. Currently, the fine for violations of Chapter 4.88 is $1,000 per day per violation.
State law has increased fines for violations of local short-term rental ordinances that constitute infractions posing a threat to public health or safety. California Government Code Section 36900(d)(1) provides, in relevant part:
“Notwithstanding any other law … the violation of a short-term rental ordinance that is an infraction is punishable by the following:
(A) A fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for a first violation.
(B) A fine not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year.
(C) A fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year of the first violation.”
DISCUSSION:
The City has become aware of an increase in illegal short-term rentals within the City. In light of major upcoming events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, staff recommends that the Council increase the fines due to the negative impacts on the community, public safety, and public infrastructure that pose a threat to public safety.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 26-0008-U and introduce Ordinance No. 26-0008.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the Ordinances as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Urgency Ordinance No. 26-0008-U
2. Ordinance No. 26-0008
3. Government Code Section 36900