To: Planning Commission
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Departmental Report
SUBJECT:
title
Information Update on the County's Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission:
1. Receive the report.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Planning and Building Department officially began accepting applications for short-term rentals on April 4, 2024. This important step marked the beginning of a new opportunity for property owners interested in entering the short-term rental market and for existing short-term rentals that were not able to obtain the necessary permits. After an evaluation period, the department began issuing permits to successful applicants beginning on July 3, 2024. The permitting process has been limited specifically to properties situated within the inland regions of Humboldt County.
Between April 4, 2024, and September 30, 2025, the Planning and Building Department reported the following statistics regarding short-term rental applications:
1. Total Applications Received: 270 - This figure illustrates interest among property owners eager to participate in the short-term rental process.
2. Approved Applications: 184- A total of 184 applications have been approved to operate as short-term rentals, meeting the necessary standards. Out of these, 24 were specifically for Farm Stay Housing.
3. Applications Pending: 37 - Currently, 37 applications remain under review. These applications are undergoing thorough assessments to ensure compliance with local regulations and standards before they can be approved.
4. Special Permits Required: 7 - Among the applications, 7 require special permits due to zoning regulations.
5. Issues with Applications: 42 - This category encountered various challenges, such as duplicate submissions, errors during the application process, or properties situated within city limits or designated commercial or coastal zones.
Th...
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