FORT BRAGG, CA., 4/15/25 – The Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services is continuing a series of stakeholder meetings to gather input on short-term rentals and their impact on local communities after holding the first meeting in Fort Bragg last week.
Last Wednesday’s meeting was focused on the inland zone, where regulations for short-term rentals may differ from those in the coastal zone. The meeting in Fort Bragg was the first of five stakeholder meetings scheduled throughout April, with another held in Anderson Valley on Monday. More are upcoming, starting in Willits on Wednesday, Covelo on April 23, and Ukiah on April 30.
A point of confusion during the meeting was the distinction between the coastal and inland zones. The inland zone, which is defined by the state of California and regulated under the state’s Coastal Act, begins at varying distances inland from the shore.
This means that some areas of coastal towns, including parts of Fort Bragg, fall under inland regulations. Mendocino County’s website has a map that allows residents to check the zone their property falls under.
Shelby Miller and Mark Cliser, both from Planning and Building Services, on Wednesday provided a brief history of short-term rentals in the region, noting that, before the advent of platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, short-term rentals were uncommon.
As such platforms gained popularity, the issue of regulating the rentals became more pressing. Cliser said the county is dedicated to balancing community needs and tourism, and that the county wants to work together with the community in finding that balance.
Cliser and Miller cited examples of ordinances from neighboring Humboldt and Sonoma counties as a starting point for discussion.
Several residents voiced concerns about the conversion of homes into short-term rentals, which they believe reduces the availability of long-term housing. One attendee said that many needed professionals, such as doctors, leave the area because they can’t find housing.
Another resident shared that in her neighborhood, 13 homes had been converted into short-term rentals or were in the process of being converted, making her feel like she lives in a commercial zone.
She also recounted a tragic incident where a guest at a short-term rental died after experiencing a medical emergency and struggled to call for help due to a lack of cellphone service. She proposed that short-term rentals without cell service be required to provide a landline, as Wi-Fi may not always be reliable for emergency calls.
Residents raised concerns about short-term rentals impacting infrastructure, noting that increased tourist traffic leads to road wear. They suggested that operators help fund maintenance and called for stricter regulations to ensure emergency services can access the rentals, including proper road width and turnouts.
Enforcement of short-term rental regulations was a hot topic, with many residents emphasizing the need for better enforcement of rules related to noise, safety, and zoning.
One suggestion was to require a local contact for each rental, and some attendees went further, suggesting that someone should be either onsite or able to arrive within minutes.
It was pointed out by a few attendees that the county doesn’t have a noise ordinance, so if a short-term rental has guests violating rules around noise, those violations are with code enforcement and not law enforcement – meaning that if it’s after hours, there’s no one to call.
One local described a neighbor allowing large events at a short-term rental, and expressed frustration that there was no way to enforce rules on the weekends.
Miller and others noted that they are working on defining what qualifies as a short-term rental, including non-traditional housing options like tent cabins and trailers, which are often listed on the platforms. Cliser said that a separate ordinance would apply to camping-related rentals.
Many residents noted that short-term rentals provide an important source of income for locals, particularly seniors on fixed incomes. One person mentioned that some seniors have turned to them as a way to help cover rising insurance costs, property taxes, and other expenses, and explained that their rental income from hosting guests helped make ends meet, especially with the rising costs of living.
There was concern that overly restrictive policies could harm locals who depend on short-term rental income, and it was pointed out that people who rent buildings on their property may not be using them as long-term rentals ordinarily, so it may not be taking away from housing availability.
Residents proposed capping the rentals, similar to Humboldt’s 2% housing stock limit, and discussed whether caps should be county-wide or specific to communities like Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and Anderson Valley.
Attendees voiced concerns about illegal short-term rentals and the need for stronger enforcement, especially for properties not paying taxes. Cliser acknowledged the discrepancy between issued permits and listings on platforms like Airbnb and noted that steps are being taken to address the issue. All meetings on the short-term rental issue will begin at 6 p.m., with the Ukiah meeting available via Zoom. More information is available on the Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services website, along with an online survey to gather further public opinion.