Lake Elsinore Cracks Down On Party Houses

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore is cracking down on party houses and at the same time collecting transient occupancy taxes that will go into city coffers through an ordinance that now regulates short-term rentals.

During its Jan. 25 meeting, the Lake Elsinore City Council officially adopted the ordinance without comment in a 5-0 vote.

Under the new framework, short-term rentals are permitted in all residential zones but certain requirements must be met. For example, a property owner has to obtain a business license from the city before renting out to guests. The city has banned the use of short-term rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, commercial functions, conferences, or other similar activities. The sole use of short-term rentals is for lodging, and the primary guest of the short-term rental must be 21 years of age or older, according to the city ordinance.

Additionally, guests cannot stay at a short-term rental for longer than 30 consecutive days, and garages, tents, trailers, recreational vehicles, storage sheds, or other exterior structures or spaces cannot be used as short-term rentals.

An approved short-term rental license is valid through Dec. 31 of the year it is issued and can be renewed annually, although the city can revoke or suspend a license if the owner is not following the rules.

The city is also cracking down on the number of people who can stay at a short-term rental. The following chart details the limitations:

Short-term rentals with over five bedrooms cannot exceed more than 12 guests unless permission is first granted by the city.

Outdoor activities at a short-term rental are banned between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. Even if activity continues indoors during nighttime and early morning hours, it should not be audible from the outside, according to the ordinance.

As a result of the new ordinance, the city will make money. Like hotels, short-term rental guests will be required to pay a 10 percent "transient occupancy tax." The tax is collected when guests pay for their lodging.

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