Increased Permits and Exterior Signs for Lake Tahoe Properties

Last week the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to increase vacation-home rental permit fees. Fees for new permits increased from $75 to $205. Fees for renewing existing permits jumped from $50 to $140 a year.

The increased permit fees will pay the salary and expenses for a new community service offer to regulate existing vacation-rental ordinances.

The City Council also gave initial approval to the controversial requirement that vacation rentals display an exterior sign on their property indicating the home is used as a rental property. These signs must be visible from the street and display the maximum number of occupants allowed to stay overnight, the maximum number of cars that can be parked on site and the phone number for the police.

Jim Morris, president of Lake Tahoe Accommodations, wrote an editorial opposing the City Counil's vote.

The requirement that every vacation rental post an exterior sign so that would-be thieves, vandals and vagrant trespassers know which houses to hit reflects how their zealousness in pursuing personal vendettas spills over into official government actions.

The new signage laws are scheduled for a final vote on September 23.  Morris also fears an unnecessary increase in citations to justify the new community service officer position.

What are your thoughts on the exterior sign requirement? Do you think it will help curb vacation rentals as party rentals?

[Source: Lake Tahoe Daily Tribune]

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