The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations governing the short-term rental of residential property within the city of Los Altos. The city has a legitimate interest in fostering and preserving the long-term residential character of its residential neighborhoods. The establishment of these regulations will help maintain adequate housing stock for permanent residents while ensuring that short-term-rental activities do not become a nuisance or threaten the public health, safety, or welfare due to excessive noise, disorderly conduct, overcrowding, traffic congestion, illegal parking, the accumulation of refuse, and other effects related to short-term rentals.

(Ord. No. 2018-441, § 3, 5-22-2018)

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

"Short-term rental" means a use that provides lodging in a dwelling unit, for compensation, for a period of fewer than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days. "Short-term rental" does not include transient lodging in city-approved hotels and motels.

(Ord. No. 2018-441, § 3, 5-22-2018)

A short-term rental is a prohibited use in every zoning district in the city.

(Ord. No. 2018-441, § 3, 5-22-2018)