Summary: In 1988, the city of Carmel passed an ordinance that prohibited rentals of less than 30 days, which is still on the books today.

The Rental Market: Carmel-by-the-Sea is a seaside community located on the southern bend of the Monterrey Peninsula. Short-term or “transient” rentals of 30 days or less are currently forbidden in areas zoned for single-family housing.

Timeline:

1981: The City of Carmel tried to enact an ordinance banning short-term rentals. They were thwarted by two property management companies and 20 owners who sued the city citing that the ordinance was unconstitutional because it violated property rights. A judge rules in favor of the property owners and imposed an injunction forbidding the city from enacting a short-term rental ban in the future.

December 7, 1988: Carmel City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning rentals of 30 days or less. To get around the injunction, the city worded the ordinance differently and instead of banning short-term rentals straightaway, they prohibited short-term rentals in residential areas as to keep residential and commercial district separate.

Advocates for the Ban: Year-round residents.  Over 100 residents sent letters to city hall protesting short-term rentals.

Arguments:
• The city had received dozens of complaints about short-term renters.
• The Carmel charter states that the city is first and foremost a residential city.
• Permanent residents have no way of knowing who's living next to them from week-to-week.

Opponents of the Ban: Realty companies, absentee owners.

Arguments:
• The new ordinance is unconstitutional. It's basically the same ordinance that was rejected by the judge in 1981.
• We've never received complaints about noisy renters.
• All of renters are screened by owners and property management companies.
• Carmel vacation rentals aren't cheap. The rental rates alone should keep out the riff-raff.
• The city claims that vacation rentals aren't residential in nature, but renters are eating, sleeping, and cooking in the homes just like the permanent residents next door.
• Having renters in a home prevents crime.

Links:
Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code

Sources:
"Carmel Bans Short-Term Home Rentals." The San Francisco Chronicle 08 Dec. 1988, sec. A6.

"CARMEL, CALIF., WOULD BAR 'TRANSIENTS'" San Francisco Examiner 18 Dec. 1988, Late ed., sec. 2A.

O'Neill, Ann W. "CARMEL LIMITS RENTALS COUNCIL BANS SHORT LEASES." San Jose Mercury News 07 Dec. 1988, sec. 1B.

O'Neill, Ann W. "CARMEL's NOT-FOR-RENT ORDINANCE PLAN WOULD OUTLAW LEASES OF LESS THAN a MONTH." San Jose Mercury News 06 Dec. 1988, sec. 1B.

Are there developments in your vacation rental market that others should know about? Please let us know.

Vacation Rental Resources: California (CA)    Handy resources for California vacation rental owners.

Three Easy Ways To Get Keys To Your Vacation Renters    How do you get keys to guests staying in your vacation rental property?

Entering Guestbook Comments for Renters to Submit    The easiest and quickest way to get guests to submit reviews

In the News: Big Bear Lake, California    A look at the proposed ban on short-term vacation rentals in Big Bear Lake.

Case Study: Proposed Ban on Vacation Rentals in Encinitas, California    A look at the forces for and against the proposed short-term rental ban in Encinitas.

Vacation, Transient, and Short-Term Rental Restrictions    Christine addresses the issues driving vacation rental bans and how to fight them.

In the News: Imperial Beach, California    A chronicle of news articles about the conflict surrounding short-term/vacation rentals in the town of Imperial Beach, California.

Case Study: Bodega Harbor Subdivision in Bodega Bay, California    A look at the proposed ban on short-term rentals in the Bodega Harbor subdivision.

Baby Gear Rentals in Vacation Rental Destinations    The benefits of referring your guests to baby-equipment rental companies and where to find them

From Cots to California Kings: Selecting Beds for Your Vacation Home    Sleeping arrangements are top priority for most travelers. Turn a potential deal-breaker into a deal-maker by upgrading your beds

Offering a Grocery Service to Your Vacation Rental Guests    Stand out from the competition by providing groceries to your renters.

Baby Gear Rentals in Vacation Rental Destinations    The benefits of referring your guests to baby-equipment rental companies and where to find them

12 Things That Every Vacation Rental Should Have    A list of items and amenities that we (and likely many of your guests) consider to be necessities

Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Park City, Utah    A Q&A with Park City realtor, Dennis Hanlon, about the current buying conditions in the Park City area.

Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Ventura, California (California Gold Coast)    A Q&A with Ventura realtor, Meredith McKenzie.

Christine's Blog: First Impressions with Your Directions (10/15/08)    Christine gives some useful advice on providing clear directions to your renters and solidifying that best first impression!

Christine's Blog: Being on the Renter Side (8/28/2008)    Christine shares some insights into her search and booking process.

Christine's Blog: A Dispatch From Deep Inside the Mortgage Refinancing Process (5/6/09)    Christine updates readers about her progress in refinancing her home mortgages.

Christine's Blog: Revisiting Your Insurance Policy (11/6/07)    A little CNN Headline News inspires Christine to look over the insurance policies and declaration pages for her vacation rental homes.

Christine Karpinski in the Media    A record of bestselling author Christine Karpinski's print, tv, and radio appearances.

Christine's Blog: Proposed Vacation Rental Bans in Hawaii (3/2/07)    Christine addresses the reasons behind the Owner Community's new Vacation Rental Bans and Local Rental Alerts sections.

Christine's Blog: The Vacation Real Estate Market (6/4/07)    Christine's back from the NAREE conference with advice about dealing with the softening housing market.

Christine's Blog: Refinancing Headaches (5/12/09)    Christine hits a frustrating roadblock while refinancing her home mortgage.

Frequent Vacation Rental Scam Inquiries    We've added this section to our site to help owners spot vacation rental scams

One on One with La Jolla, CA Vacation Rental Owner, Mireya Schmidt (Transcript)    Christine talks with Mireya Schmidt about her background as both a real estate agent and vacation rental owner of multiple properties.

Furnishing and Decorating Your Vacation Rental (Transcript)    Christine talks with Mary Byerly of Furniture Land South about decorating tips for your vacation home and the benefits of using a design consultant.

Ask Christine #26: Describing Your Vacation Rental's Location    What's the best way to describe the surrounding area in your vacation rental listing?

Baby Gear and Vacation Rentals     Christine talks with Jill Lepow about why we should go through a rental service to get baby gear rather than buying it

Buying an Investment Property on the California Gold Coast (Transcript)    Christine talks with real estate agent, Meredith McKenzie, about the vacation rental market along the California Gold Coast.

Introduction to Vacation Rentals (Transcript)    Christine talks about the basics of buying a vacation rental home.

Ask Christine #2: Damage Insurance for Vacation Rentals    Christine explains the best way to prevent damages at your vacation rental

One-on-One with Palm Springs, CA Vacation Rental Owner Gregg Rapp (Transcript)    Christine talks with Gregg Rapp about the excitement and challenges of renting a high-end vacation home that has attracted celebrity guests.

One-on-One with Princeville Vacation Rental Owner, Hank Drayton (Transcript)    Christine chats with Hawaii owner, Hank Drayton, about how and why he bought his property and how the vacation rental business has changed since he started 19 years ago.

Ask Christine #21: How the Economy is Affecting the Vacation Rental Industry (Transcript)    Christine addresses how an uncertain economy and gas prices could affect your vacation home rentals.

Mortgaging and Refinancing Vacation Homes: Part 2 (Transcript)    In her second interview with David Motley, President of Colonial Savings, Christine discusses the current mortgage situation, tips for buying vacation homes, and options for refinancing.

Vacation Rental Bans (Transcript)    Christine addresses the issue of vacation, short-term, and transient rental bans.

Buying an Investment Property in Park City, Utah (Transcript)    Christine interviews Park City realtor, Dennis Hanlon about the Park City vacation home market.

Legal Advice on Renting Your Vacation Home (Transcript)    Christine talks to attorney Janet Portman about legal advice for vacation rentals.

Go International-- The Merits of Advertising Your Vacation Rental Worldwide (Transcript)    Christine speaks with the HomeAway UK about renting vacation properties worldwide.

Buying an Investment Property in Lake Tahoe (Transcript)    Christine interviews South Lake Tahoe real estate agent, Deb Howard about the current market conditions.

Fighting a Short-Term Rental Ban Within an HOA (Transcript)    Palm Desert owner, Melinda DiPerna talks about her experience fighting a short-term rental ban in her complex.

The Resort and Second Home Market (Transcript)    Christine interviews real estate broker Jim Dague, an expert on the resort and second home industry

How to Create Unique Content for ALL of Your Vacation Rental Listings    Learn how to get more results from the search engines and make the most of your marketing budget.

How to Market Your Vacation Home to Fishing Enthusiasts    Guide to baiting and hooking recreational fishermen and women.

The Ins and Outs of Naming Your Vacation Home    Put your creativity to good use with a unique, memorable, and marketable vacation home name.