Summary: In March of 1999, the Bodega Harbor Homeowners Association voted against a proposed amendment to the HOA rules that would prohibit short-term rentals in the Bodega Bay subdivision.

The Rental Market:  Bodega Harbor is an upscale subdivision located in Bodega Bay, California.  In 1999, 89 of the 725 units in the subdivision were available as short-term rentals.

The Proposal: In response to complaints of noise, parking problems, and traffic caused by transient renters, the HOA drafted a proposal to prohibit new buyers from offering short-term rentals in the subdivision.  Current owners, including the 89 units already being rented at the time of the proposal would not be affected.

Advocates of the Ban: Permanent residents.

Arguments:

• Conducting business (short-term rentals) in the neighborhood conflicts with the residential nature of the subdivision.
• The HOA had received complaints of excessive noise and partying after hours by short-term renters, in addition to violations of golf course rules.

Opponents of the Ban: Permanent residents, owners of short-term rentals, and rental agencies like Bodega Bay & Beyond Vacation Home Rentals.

Arguments:

• It's an issue of property rights.
• Vacation rentals have a positive effect on the Bodega Bay economy.  "They don't cost the community money, they make the community money,'' said homeowner Don Buttaro in a March 1999 issues of the Press Democrat.
• There are enough HOA rules already.

The Vote: Over 90% of the residents of Bodega Harbor turned out to vote on the proposal.  437 voted against the prohibition of short-term rentals and 217 owners voted for the ban.

Bodega Harbor Links:

Bodega Harbor Homeowners Association

Sources:

Klose, Bob. "BODEGA HARBOUR REJECTS RENTAL BAN HOMEOWNERS VOTE DOWN RULE BY 2-1 MARGIN." The Press Democrat 18 Mar. 1999, sec. B1.

© Copyright 2007 HomeAway, Inc.

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