Short-term rentals have quickly become profitable businesses created by investors and second-home buyers who speculate on our housing market. Current ordinances and enforcement fall short of addressing the problems of allowing this commercial use in our traditionally residential and mixed-use neighborhoods. Cities and Counties across the US have struggled to overcome the influence of investors in order to minimize the problems created by STRs in their communities. Santa Fe is way behind the curve.

• Every home or condo that is converted to a short-term rental depletes the supply of homes for locals

  to rent long term or buy.

• When investors and second-home buyers are speculating on an income-producing property,

  local buyers cannot compete.

• Since non-owner occupied STRs are more profitable than month-to-month or long-term rentals,

  STRs deplete rental options for residents and seasonal workers.

• When families cannot afford to live in our traditionally residential neighborhoods, enrollment at

  established schools declines resulting in a reduction in school funding.

• The population of the City and County of Santa Fe is fairly stable year over year and permits for

  new single-family and multi-family housing should be adequate to meet demand. Yet, our housing

  availability continues to decline year over year. Where are our houses going? STRs.

• The availability of homes in all price ranges is critical to attracting experienced professionals and skilled

  workers to work in every sector including government, education, healthcare, construction and tourism.

• STR speculators enjoy low overhead and a relaxed regulatory environment compared to developers

  of conventional B&Bs, hotels and resorts.

• As cities encourage guest houses (ADUs) as a way to increase housing density, strict STR ordinances are

  necessary to assure that these new rules result in more housing, not more motels.

• No other full-time business is allowed to open a business in an existing house without a zoning change

  and review by the planning department.

• Businesses that are located close to our neighborhoods serve the neighborhood. Customers

  aren’t on site when the business is closed.

• With non-owner occupied STRs, customers are on site when there is no owner or operator on site.

• Property taxes on residential lots is calculated at “residential” rates. Our County Assessor is burdened

  with identifying non-owner occupied STRs in order to adjust property tax to “commercial” rates as

  the “zoning” and the “use” are not consistent..

• Transient lodging near established schools and parks threatens the neighborhood’s sense of safety.

• Enforcement of our STR ordinances is a challenge and expense for City and County Staff. Simplify the

  ordinances and decrease the allowed density in order to make the laws easier to enforce.

• Nuisance complaints regarding noise, parking, garbage and pets result from non-owner occupied STRs.

• Neighbors want neighbors: Community is built on familiarity and relationships built over time.

  STR Ordinances that are designed to truly protect our housing supply require both

  Proof of Ownership and Proof of Primary Residence: “Owner-Occupied” STRs

What about Tourism? What about it? Tourists are not entitled to our homes. Residents are not responsible for meeting the housing needs of tourists. If we need more lodging options for tourists, then developers should acquire commercially-zoned properties and go through the design, review and approval process for a project that will meet those needs.