Letter to Editor: Vacation Rentals

    Dear Editor:

    On July 24, 2025 Calaveras County Planning Director Bret Sampson reported to the Planning Commission that a new ordinance

on Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVRO) and a code change regarding Special Events will be coming before the Planning Commision soon.

   Both of these matters address the conflicts that arise as commercial party venues increasingly invade residential areas and both of these matters will require a delicate balancing of interests.

   The STVRO must balance the rights of residential neighbors to quietly enjoy their property, the economic interests of the owners of the rental units to allow late night parties on their properties, and the desires expressed by the Board of Supervisors to support these rental units that serve tourists and generate revenue for the County government.

   The changes to the Special Events ordinance are expected to balance concerns of the residential neighbors of commercial wedding venues and the desire of the owners of commercial wedding venues and the desire of the owners of commercial wedding venues to have their businesses explicitly validated in the county zoning code.

   If you are one of the people who has concerns regarding a short-term vacation rental or a wedding venue in your residential neighborhood, contact the Planning Commission before they meet to discuss these ordinance and code changes. 

   You can send an email to the Planning Commission through their clerk at ahuse@calaverascounty.gov or to the Director of the Planning Department at BSSampson@calaverascounty.gov.

   Thank you for your help in planning and implementing a brighter future for Calaveras County.

    With Gratitude,

    Tom Infusino (Facillitator)

     Calaveras Planning Coalition

    San Andreas, California