Santa Barbara Widow At The Center Of Vacation Rental Controversy
By Alys Martinez, KEYT – KCOY – KKFX Reporter
A Santa Barbara widow is at the center of the city’s vacation rental controversy.
Dorothy Wallstein rents out her home, while living on the property, to make ends meet. It’s commonly referred to as ‘home sharing’.
“I need supplemental income because I’m a widow on disability and a fixed income. So it was a perfect solution,” Wallstein said.
The city is cracking down on what it calls illegal vacation rentals.
The problem is Wallstein lives in R4, an area where vacation rentals are allowed.
She moved into her home in May 2014 and started renting a month later.
“I went into the city before I even listed my property and asked them what I needed to do” Wallstein said. “I got the business license. I’ve paid my TOT since day one. I’ve never missed a payment.”
Recently, she received a ‘cease and desist’ letter in the mail.
See the full article at KEYT.com
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1 Comment:
By Mary 20 Mar 2016
This city is filled with many people trying to make ends meet. If a rental property is creating a disturbance, there should be a warning, and, if not heeded, the license revoked. To stop all rentals because there are a few problems is very unfair. Many people renting a bedroom in their home need the income. These are our neighbors. Is the hotel industry holding a greater power in this struggle than residential property owners? The city is profiting from these short term rentals. The present zoning restriction was created at a time when home ownership was more possible in Santa Barbara. The city needs to make a concession for the high price of living here that has occurred over the years, and not force more people to move away because they can not afford it.