CARMEL, Calif. -- It's a common sight in the City of Carmel. Tourist after tourist, fill up the beaches, the streets, and the shops.
"Tourism is our main industry here in Carmel. We have 45 small inns, so tourism is really important," said Monta Potter, Executive Director of Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
However, those 45 inns have been competing with homeowners using their house as short term vacation rentals. Something Potter said can be a nuisance for locals.
"There are neighbors who are concerned that there will be college students partying and that sort of thing so I understand that point of view," said Potter.
The city has an ordinance in place for decades that doesn't allow rentals less than 30 days. Since November, the city's code enforcement has been cracking down. Mayor Jason Burnett said two more people on staff has helped with the crack down. He also said its unfair for hotels to have to pay a tax and vacation rentals don't.
Yet, this is nothing new to a lot of cities on the central coast
In 2010, the City of Pacific Grove voted unanimously to start allowing property owners to legally rent out homes to vacationers for less than 30 days, charging a license fee and occupancy tax.
In 2011, Santa Cruz County passed an ordinance that required property owners to register their homes and limit the amount of people who can stay there.
For Potter, these changes haven't gone un-noticed.
"I'm not sure what recommendation were going to make but its on our radar screen and I think we have to talk about it," said Potter.
Potter said their economic advisory committee has been looking into this issue for a few years now. However, the Mayor said no one in the city council has yet to propose a change.
