You do not need to suffer in silence if short-term rentals in your neighborhood are affecting your quality of life. As a homeowner/resident, you have rights under zoning laws/City codes and you should not hesitate to exercise them. In fact, it’s important that the City knows when STRs are causing problems.
First and foremost, be sure to document any and all disturbances. Keeping track of locations, dates and times is very important. We’re provided this form where you can easily log the disturbance that is effecting you. We share this log with the City Council so they understand how STRs are negatively impacting our community. Also, take photos and/or video or audio record disturbances whenever possible for future reference/proof. Please remember to ensure your own safety when doing this…if you’re ever concerned about your safety with regard to an STR near you, call 911.
TO GET IMMEDIATE ACTION
For noise disturbances, call the Pacifica Police Department’s non-emergency line at (650) 738-7314. The PPD is sympathetic to the problems STRs are causing in our neighborhoods, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to them. Mention that you are following the City Manager’s and City Council’s requests to report STR issues. (“Disturbing the peace” is covered under California Penal Code 415.)
Report trash issues to Code Enforcement by filling out the online form that can be found on the City of Pacifica webpage
When filing code enforcement complaints regarding trash issues, reference Municipal Code Ordinance 6-5.106 when cans are visible from the street or are left unattended curbside 12 hours before or 12 hours following a collection time.
For parking issues, contact the Pacifica Police Department’s non-emegency line (above). Applicable Ordinances may include: parking over 72 hours (Municipal Code 4-7.1105); narrow streets (MC 4-7.1106); in safety zones (MC 4-7.1107); and/or parallel parking (MC 4-7.1109).
In addition to the above, please be sure to reach out to Airbnb’s Neighborhood Support site: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3290. Airbnb has made a promise to the world to support the neighborhoods in which their hosts operate, and we should all be holding their feet to that fire! Parties, especially, are a supposed BIG Airbnb “no-no,” so be certain to report them! You have the option to “Request a Call” or fill out a quick online form. It takes time to build a case with Airbnb about a particular STR, so be relentless in your reporting to Airbnb and, if possible, get others in your neighborhood to also complain.
If the STR in your neighborhood is also listed on VRBO, repeat the same steps as above with Airbnb through VRBO’s Stay Neighborly link https://www.stayneighborly.com.