HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/2017 Item 10, Wilkins -TBID
DATE: November 21, 2017
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Matthew F. Wilkins, Tourism Business Improvement District
st
SUBJECT: November 21 Council Meeting Agenda Correspondence Item #10: Code Enforcement
Priorities
Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
On behalf of the Tourism Business Improvement District Board, I am writing today to encourage
council to prioritize enforcement of the city’s Homestay Ordinance.
Illegal operators do not collect transient occupancy tax, which affords the proprietors an unfair
competitive advantage over hoteliers and legal homestay operators. Hoteliers and legal operators are
required to comply with numerous city regulations to provide a safe experience for visitors to San Luis
Obispo. We bear the cost to collect the taxes and comply with the regulations, yet we are being undersold
by illegal operators. This is taking dollars directly out of the city’s general fund, hurting our occupancy
and, furthermore, our ability to continue operation. This also negatively impacts neighborhoods in our
community by exacerbating an already extremely impacted housing market, with no guarantee to the
visitor that the short-term rental meets minimum safety standards or provides adequate parking.
The TBID also feels that there should be proper code enforcement regarding private residential
dwellings being used as commercial properties. The myriad regulations that have been passed over the
years governing the lodging industry from the federal to state and local levels are there for good reason.
We feel that such ordinances and restrictions should be applied equally to any player in the market.
Thank you very much for your consideration, time and service.
Sincerely,
Matthew F. Wilkins
TBID Board Chair
General Manager
Sands Inn & Suites
1930 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401