We recently received notice that the City of Santa Barbara has filed an appeal in regards to the July 11, 2019 Superior Court judgement in our court trial, ordering the City to once again allow STRs in the Coastal Zone of Santa Barbara as it did prior to June 2015, until such time as the City obtains approval by the CA Coastal Commission for a plan to regulate STRs.

The Notice of Appeal is available below.

Notice of Appeal Filed by City of Santa Barbara, September 6, 2019 PDF

We have excellent news in our battle against the City of Santa Barbara!

As you know, in November 2016, Theo Kracke of Paradise Retreats World Class Vacation Rentals personally sued the City of Santa Barbara, alleging that its prohibition of Short Term Rentals violated the California Coastal Act…and we finally won!

After 2 ½ years of tough litigation where the City filed 3 motions to dismiss our case, we finally had our day in court. After trial, we achieved our goal of preventing the City of Santa Barbara from enforcing its ban against short-term vacation rentals in the Coastal Zone of Santa Barbara City.  The victory has been highly publicized in legal circles and will influence STR policy and judicial decisions throughout California. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the excellent legal analysis & litigation skills of our attorneys: Travis Logue & Jason Wansor of Rogers, Sheffield, and Campbell.  This was a monumental effort; the cost of which exceeded $300,000.  It has all paid-off in the satisfaction that justice prevails when facts & evidence are presented to a rational decision-maker. A special Thank You to the Honorable Judge Mark Borrell.

The first ruling (filed on March 8, 2019) finds that the City violated the CA Coastal Act by illegally banning STRs in the Coastal Zone.  This ruling states that a writ shall issue ordering the City to once again allow STRs in the Coastal Zone of Santa Barbara as it did prior to June 2015 until such time as the City obtains approval by the CA Coastal Commission for a plan to regulate STRs. The second ruling (filed on May 16, 2019) concluded that the City did not “knowingly and intentionally” violate the Coastal Act so as to be liable for fines payable to the CA Coastal Commission.

We are thrilled that the court embraced our arguments that the City acted improperly when it eliminated an entire class of lower-cost visitor serving accommodations on the coast.  This is a victory for many, including traveling families who could not otherwise enjoy the Santa Barbara coastline.

The bottom line is that short term rentals in residential neighborhoods in the Coastal Zone of the City of SB will be allowed for the foreseeable future.  The City is working with the Coastal Commission to update their Local Coastal Program and how to reasonably regulate STVRs without banning them entirely.  Presently, the City is not issuing new business licenses to STR operators, nor allowing them to collect Transient Occupancy Tax for their rentals.  However, the City has expressly stated it will not be enforcing zoning violations against STRs in the Coastal Zone of SB City (the City Attorney even put this on record in our most recent court hearing).

Going forward, it is unlikely that the City will be able to obtain approval from the Coastal Commission for any unreasonably restrictive STR regulations in the Coastal Zone of SB.  Further, we have heard our victory may influence the City’s STR policy in areas outside the Coastal Zone. One goal is to catapult our win to spark a renewed conversation on citywide STR policy.

There is a good possibility that the City could appeal these rulings.  However, we will be working hard to prevent this.  We are lobbying the SB City Council against appealing the judgment, and to instead focus its time and resources on drafting fair STR regulations that comply with the CA Coastal Act.  Countless communities in California have done the same thing, and Santa Barbara can create its own regulations of STRs based on any one of these successful models.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theo Kracke won a battle in his ongoing lawsuit against the City of Santa Barbara over its decision to ban short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). Earlier this year, the City filed its second demurrer (this is the third time that the City has attempted to get this lawsuit dismissed). However, on June 26, 2017, the court overruled the demurrer and made certain findings that validate the core arguments of the lawsuit. Now that this major obstacle to the lawsuit has been removed, it will proceed in court.

According to Mr. Kracke, “We are thankful for the court’s thoughtful and well-reasoned decision. This is a victory for those people who could not otherwise enjoy the Santa Barbara coastline. This case is far from won, but the court’s decision is a big step in that direction.”

In the decision, the court ruled Mr. Kracke’s allegations constitute “development” under the Coastal Act since the decision to ban STVRs resulted in a change in the density or intensity of use of land or of access to the coastline.  According to the court:

The allegations establish that the City intended to [change the density or intensity of use of land or of access to the coastline]. The legislature has decided that the provisions of the Coastal Act are to be construed liberally to accomplish its purposes and objectives.  Interpreting the definition of ‘development’ as the court has here complies with that mandate.  The fundamental purposes of the Coastal Act are protecting California’s coastline and ensuring state policies prevail over local concerns. Requiring the City to obtain a CDP before implementing a prohibition on residential areas of Santa Barbara’s coastline is in harmony with both.

The City argued that its actions do not constitute a “development” under the Coastal Act since the City Council’s decision on June 23, 2015, was to enforce then-existing laws.  Disagreeing with the City, the court found:

[T]he City acted with a clear, and indeed stated, intent to ‘prohibit’ STVRs within the city’s residential areas, including the Coastal Zone. The allegations describe an identifiable choice between two existing yet conflicting policies — to allow and tax STVRs or prohibit them. The City Council chose to prohibit them as a deliberative body after public hearings.

In addition, the court ruled that Mr. Kracke’s causes of action for civil fines under the Coastal Act and declaratory and injunctive relief may proceed. The City must file a response to the lawsuit within 20 days.

Kracke’s lawsuit challenges the City’s ban on STVRs, alleging that the City’s actions are illegal and in contravention to various policies set forth in the Coastal Act.  Central among these policies are the requirements that the general public must have affordable accommodations within and access to the Coastal Zone.  In implementing its ban against STVRs, the City violated these policies and failed to apply for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) to ensure that its actions conformed to the Coastal Act and its own Local Coastal Plan.

This decision follows another setback for the City, when in February, the court ruled against the City’s anti-SLAPP motion which argued Mr. Kracke’s lawsuit was an unlawful attempt to chill the City’s first amendment right to free speech.

In a separate ruling, the court denied Mr. Kracke’s request for a preliminary injunction (which would have stopped the City’s current enforcement efforts until the lawsuit was completed).

Travis C. Logue and Jason W. Wansor, attorneys for the Santa Barbara law firm, Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell LLP, represent Mr. Kracke.

Attachments

Kracke vs City of Santa Barbara – Injunction Ruling 06-27-2017 PDF | 1.3MB
Kracke vs City of Santa Barbara – Demurrer Ruling 06-27-2017 PDF | 4.2MB

Kracke vs. City of Santa Barbara – First Amended Writ of Mandate and Complaint PDF | 16.7MB
Kracke vs. City of Santa Barbara – Press Release 2017-06-29 PDF | 74kb

By Scott Steepleton, News-Press City Editor

A judge is considering whether a lawsuit challenging Santa Barbara’s short-term vacation rental ban should be tossed out on the grounds that, according to the city attorney, it is a frivolous attempt to stifle free speech.

Attorneys for Theo Kracke, owner of the vacation rental service Paradise Retreats, argue in court papers before Ventura County Superior Court Judge Mark Borrell that the California Coastal Act of 1976 mandates that cities in the coastal zone take steps to ensure low- and moderate-priced visitor accomodations with access to beaches.

See the full article at Newspress.com or in the Friday, March 3, 2017 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

City argues Short Term Rental lawsuit tramples free speech

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On January 30, 2017, the City of Santa Barbara filed an anti-SLAPP Motion against Theo Kracke, who recently sued the City over its vacation rental ban. Kracke’s lawsuit argues the City should have amended its Local Coastal Program or sought a Coastal Development Permit because the vacation rental ban contravenes the policies set forth in the Coastal Act.

In its anti-SLAPP motion, the City cites to Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 425.16. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. Customarily, anti-SLAPP motions involve first amendment issues, like defamation. Ironically, the statute was enacted to protect the “little guy” from companies with vast resources who could file lawsuits against those who voiced opposition. Section 425.16(a) describes the Legislature’s intent for the law, “The Legislature finds and declares that there has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to encourage continued participation in matters of public significance, and that this participation should not be chilled through abuse of the judicial process.” While the statute’s purpose was to protect the expression of first amendment rights and curb litigation that would otherwise suppress people’s right to free speech, the statute is being abused by attorneys attempting to gain a tactical advantage in lawsuits. Attorneys have used anti-SLAPP motions in a variety of creative yet improper contexts, with the net result being increased attorneys’ fees, delays, and more litigation.

The City’s motion alleges Kracke’s suit is “frankly outrageous,” was “brought as a result of acts in furtherance of the City’s rights of petition or free speech” and “is an attempt to stifle free speech on an issue under consideration or review by the City Council and should be summarily dismissed.” If the City prevails, Kracke’s lawsuit will be thrown out and he could be held liable for the City’s attorneys’ fees. Even if Kracke prevails at the Anti-SLAPP hearing, the City will have the right to immediately appeal the decision which will automatically delay the litigation until the appeal is resolved, possibly as late as 2018.

According to Kracke, “The City’s heavy-handed tactics continue. It’s outrageous the City is alleging I’m stifling its right of free speech. There is no precedent for the City to file such a motion against a suit like ours. Now we have to consider whether to file a CCP § 128.7 motion for sanctions based on the motion’s frivolous nature. It’s obvious the City’s strategy is to delay and escalate my attorneys’ fees in the hopes that I drop the lawsuit. The Coastal Commission is on record that any action banning short-term rentals amounts to ‘development’ under the Coastal Act and therefore requires an amendment to the City’s Local Coastal Program or an application for a Coastal Development Permit. The City just refuses to acknowledge its wrongdoing and now resorts to underhanded legal tactics.”

###

Contact: Theo Kracke
Phone: 805-275-1851
Email: theo@paradiseretreats.com

To read, print and/or download the full text of the press release in PDF format, please click below. The following enclosures are included in the document:

California Coastal Commission letter Re: Short-Term/Vacation Rentals in the California Coastal Zone
City of Santa Barbara anti-SLAPP Motion

STR Press Release with Enclosures PDF | 1.5MB

On November 30, 2016, the California Coastal Commission provided comments to the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors which are consistent with what would have been provided to the City of Santa Barbara had the Commission been duly provided the opportunity.  According to the Coastal Commission, the prohibition of short-term rentals violates various tenets of the Coastal Act.

In past actions, the Coastal Commission has found that vacation or short-term rentals, including those in residential zones, can provide an important source of visitor accommodations in the Coastal Zone. In some instances, residential short-term rentals may provide a lower cost alternative to renting hotel or motel rooms, especially for large families or groups of individuals.

For the full text of the Coastal Commission’s letter to the Board of Supervisors, please see the PDF link below.

Coastal Commission Comments to SB County PDF | 209 kb

Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theo KrackeOn November 30, 2016, Travis C. Logue and Jason W. Wansor, attorneys for the Santa Barbara law firm of Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP, filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate and Complaint for Civil Penalties for Violation of the California Coastal Act against the City of Santa Barbara (the “City”).

The suit stems from the City’s decision to ban short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). The prohibition will apply to all STVR properties beginning January 1, 2017.

The petition was filed on behalf of the firm’s client, Theo Kracke, a 35-year resident of Santa Barbara, and proprietor of Paradise Retreats World Class Vacation Rentals. Mr. Kracke has been engaged in operating, managing and servicing vacation rentals in and around the City since 2006, many of which are located within the City’s Coastal Zone, as defined under the Coastal Act.

The California Constitution and the Coastal Act require coastal access to be protected, provided, and maximized for all. STVRs serve as an alternate form of visitor-serving accommodations within the Coastal Zone, that provide a lower-cost alternative to renting hotel or motel rooms for families from diverse demographic sectors and range of incomes to enjoy unique local coastal resources. In recognizing these benefits, the Coastal Commission has urged local municipalities to regulate rather than outlaw STVRs. The suit alleges the City’s prohibition against STVRs contravenes both State and local law. The ban violates the City’s certified Local Coastal Plan (“LCP”) and Chapter 28.44 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code, which was established for the purposes of implementing the Coastal Act and ensuring all public and private development in the City’s Coastal Zone is consistent thereto.

In 2014, the California Coastal Commission awarded a $123,000 grant to the City to update its LCP and address “the very old LCP policies and development standards.” Yet since that time, the City has neglected to take any action towards an update. In light of the ban, the City missed a key opportunity to act in a thoughtful manner and apply the grant award to hold public workshops, analyze the impact of STVRs from diverse perspectives, seek and obtain Commission input, and employ reasonable and balanced regulation designed to address the primary concerns of neighborhood compatibility and diminished affordable housing stock while allowing for regulated STVRs in residential and other zoning districts.

Mr. Kracke is seeking a writ of mandate requiring the City to either (i) submit and process a Coastal Development Permit; or (ii) amend its LCP and pursue certification by the Commission.

###

Contact: Theo Kracke
Phone: 805-275-1851
Email: theo@paradiseretreats.com

To read, print and/or download the full text of the complaint, please see the PDF link available at the Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP web site.


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