Glendora Council Approves 45-Day Moratorium On Short Term Rentals

Press release from the City of Glendora:

August 28, 2020

For Immediate Release

For further information contact

Greg Morton, Digital Media Specialist
(626) 852-4823 | (626) 224-1776

GLENDORA ADOPTS 45-DAY MORATORIUM PROHIBITING SHORT TERM RENTALS

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Glendora, Calif - At a Special City Council meeting held on Aug. 27, 2020, the Glendora City Council unanimously voted to adopt an Interim Urgency Ordinance Approving a Citywide 45-day moratorium prohibiting short-term vacation rentals. This follows the Glendora Police Department and City staff’s response on Aug. 22 to concerned citizens regarding a planned “Mansion House Party” at 1120 E. Sierra Madre Avenue that resulted in the party organizer receiving multiple administrative citations for violating City Municipal Codes, and current health department orders, totaling $1,900 in fines.

According to the ordinance, for a period of 45 days after the date of Aug. 27, any violation or provision of the ordinance shall be declared a public nuisance and subject to the penalties outlined in the ordinance. Additionally, City staff will study appropriate modifications to the City’s Municipal Code regulations to reduce and mitigate negative secondary effects, such as threats to public health and safety, created by short-term vacation rentals.

The City of Glendora will also seek reimbursement for the costs associated with the response on Aug. 22. Staff has determined that the party promoter and the homeowner have violated Section 9.44.195 of the Glendora Municipal Code. Pursuant to Section 9.44.197 of the Glendora Municipal Code, City Attorney opinion is that the property owner and party promoter are responsible to reimburse the City for various public safety service expenses related to the unlawful party. Staff has tabulated the time expense relative to both the preparation and the handling of the nuisance location on Aug. 22 and will hold both parties liable for that City expense in the amount of $17,909.44 each.

Additionally, staff has filed a complaint prepared by the City Attorney that seeks a temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunction prohibiting these individuals from hosting further “parties” in violation of the municipal code and Los Angeles County Health Officer Orders. The City will attempt to schedule an emergency hearing in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, where the City Attorney’s Office will seek the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (a “TRO”) prohibiting further parties or other short-term rentals at this residence. “My colleagues and I take this matter seriously and have taken swift action as promised.,” said Glendora Mayor Michael Allawos. “We must balance the priority of public safety with the importance of responsible commerce in a solution that provides City staff the tools to safely and effectively reduce or control nuisances and law-breakers.”

Recently, short-term vacation rentals have become a substantial threat to the public health, safety and welfare of the City’s residents, and particularly residential neighborhoods—even in the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is well documented in the media and various law enforcement complaints that events hosted at short-term vacation rentals have attracted massive crowds, loud parties, littering, over-parked street conditions, openly disorderly conduct and unsafe vehicle use that have led to multiple arrests and complaints to law enforcement.

“Council and City staff appreciate the impact this moratorium may have on law abiding short-term rental operators,” Councilmember Mendell Thompson commented. “We are confident staff will work quickly to seek solutions that will prevent a reoccurrence of Saturday’s events while allowing legitimate businesses continued opportunity.

This press release was produced by the City of Glendora. The views expressed here are the author’s own.