Big decisions made in 2015
Fingerprinting approved for ride-hailing companies New regulations passed Dec. 18 for ride-hailing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, require fingerprint background checks. City Council will decide what penalties for noncompliance, if any, should be implemented during its Jan. 28 meeting.
Restrictions lessened for accessory dwelling units New regulations passed Nov. 19 make it easier to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. ADUs can now be located closer to the main home and on a smaller lot size than before. Additionally, ADU structures cannot be larger than 1,100 square feet and cannot be used as a short-term rental that is not owner-occupied.
Drainage fee changes approved Drainage fees applied to customers’ water bills changed in June from a monthly flat rate of $9.80 to an amount determined by the percentage of impervious cover on a given property.
Top issues for 2016
Short-term rental regulations Laws regulating short-term rentals, or STRs, could change Jan. 28. Proposed new rules could include a new tiered permit fee structure, a phasing out of STRs that are not owner-occupied in residential areas and a limit on the number of occupants per STR. Council will also consider collecting hotel taxes from STR operators.
