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The city’s Planning and Authorization Authority plans to hire a short-term vacation rental investigator following ongoing complaints about real estate owners using short-term rental restrictions in residential areas.
Zoning and council member Brandon Elephante, chairman of the zoning and planning committee, who passed bill 41 in a third reading on Wednesday, plans to have DPP officials staff in investigator positions in a budget presentation earlier this month. Said we talked about.
The new version of Building 41 represents the city’s latest efforts to address community concerns about short-term rentals in residential areas, especially Kailua. The bill may be submitted to the city council as early as April 13.
Bill 41 extends the minimum stay for short-term rentals in rural or residential areas from 30 days to 90 days. It also prohibits tourists in these areas from parking on the streets, and bed and breakfast owners are required to provide one off-street parking space per bedroom.
Kailua residents want the proposed rules to reduce temporary renters in the neighborhood, prevent them from cluttering residential areas with rental cars, and allow residents to open long-term rentals that they can afford.
Suzette Cruz, who lives in Oromana, said he understands both sides of the issue.
“Many people who buy real estate to rent no longer live on the island, so people feel their way,” Cruz said. But she also understands that some people rely on vacation rental income to cover Hawaii’s high living costs.
When Bill 41 passes, Denver resident Marians Pore said she feels uneasy about booking a 90-day rental property. Zupoa’s family rented a property near the beach on Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua last week.
“I wasn’t as enthusiastic as 30 days,” Zupoa said. “That’s why 90 days is absolutely different.”
Despite the 30-day reservation, she said Zupore and her family would only stay for 10 days.
Residents are worried that the increase in the number of short-term rental properties is contributing to larger regional issues, such as the lack of affordable housing for working families.
Gary Weller, a member of the Kailua Neighborhood Commission, said the lack of affordable housing has led to an increase in multi-generational households and a lack of parking in residential areas.
“The house is too expensive for families to find a house for their children,” Weller said. “This has already exacerbated the parking problem without even the involvement of tourists.”
Weller did not blame the situation of Kailua tourists simply enjoying their vacation, he said. However, some residents are dissatisfied with vacationers having parties overnight and parking on or in front of their lawns.
Increasing tourists in residential areas are also changing the character of the community, according to Donna Wong, another member of the Kailua Neighborhood Commission.
“If the residents are there … they shop at the farmer’s market, go to local rallies and become part of the area,” Wong said. “If they’re temporary … you don’t have a neighbor to call to say,’I’ll be late. Can you bring me a dog?” — I always do. “
Weller is optimistic. Bill 41 will discourage real estate owners from offering short-term rentals in residential areas.
However, he and Wong agreed that the execution relies on DPP.
“It will definitely discourage many people from doing this, because it’s not worth it,” Weller said. “But unless there is enforcement, it doesn’t matter which law they pass.”
DPP did not immediately respond to the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s request for comment.
