Short Term Rentals

Call to Action: Speak Up on Vacation Rentals in Big Sur

Monterey County is moving forward with proposed changes to its vacation rental ordinances, and a critical public hearing is coming up soon. These changes could have long-term impacts on housing, land use, and environmental protections in Big Sur.

The Monterey County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will take place at the County Government Center in Salinas, with options to participate in person, online, or by phone. Instructions for remote participation will be posted on the County’s meeting agenda in advance.

Written public comments can be submitted by email to pchearingcomments@countyofmonterey.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10.

Big Sur has never allowed short-term rentals as a land use. Community members are encouraged to tell the Planning Commission that any new ordinance must uphold the Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan, close known loopholes, and not allow vacation rentals in Scenic Conservation, Watershed, or other resource-protection zones—especially through ministerial approval. The County should follow proven, Coastal Commission-certified models that protect housing and give enforcement staff clear standards.

This is a moment when public participation truly matters. Please take a few minutes to submit a comment or attend the hearing and help protect Big Sur’s future.


Update: Sonoma County Shows a Clear Path on Rental Enforcement

Sonoma County has already taken a step that Monterey County supervisors are now “looking into,” and it offers a clear, workable path forward for addressing short-term rental loopholes in Big Sur.

Sonoma adopted a hosted rental framework that draws a bright line between a true room rental in an owner-occupied home and a whole-house vacation rental. Under Sonoma’s ordinance, a whole-house rental is never considered a hosted rental, even if the property owner lives in a separate unit on the same parcel. This clarity matters because it prevents corporate operators from disguising lodging as “leases,” blocks the misuse of ADUs and secondary units, and gives enforcement staff objective standards they can actually apply.

Importantly, Sonoma’s approach has been adopted locally and certified by the California Coastal Commission as part of its Local Coastal Program, meaning it is legally defensible and enforceable in the Coastal Zone. Big Sur has never allowed short-term rentals as a use, yet weak enforcement and vague definitions are now enabling exactly that outcome. Sonoma’s model demonstrates that housing can be protected without banning legitimate long-term rentals or reopening certified land-use policies.

We encourage community members to contact the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and urge them to support a Sonoma-style hosted rental framework that closes loopholes, protects housing, and upholds the intent of the Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan. This is not a new experiment — it is a proven solution Monterey County can adopt now.

Monterey County and the California Coastal Commission have now adopted ordinances regulating short-term rentals. While this is an important milestone, STRs continue to pose serious risks to the stability and character of our Big Sur community if not carefully enforced.

For decades, the Big Sur Land Use Plan has recognized that housing here is not just scarce—it is vital for maintaining a living, working community. STRs remove long-term housing from the market, driving up prices and making it nearly impossible for local residents and workers to live here. At the same time, they intensify tourism impacts—more traffic, noise, parking congestion, and emergency-response pressures—all of which erode the very qualities that make Big Sur unique.

The ordinances set important limits, including:

  • Banning Commercial Vacation Rentals in residential zones to preserve neighborhood character.

  • Requiring that Homestays be tied to a primary residence, ensuring accountability and neighborhood oversight.

  • Minimum stay requirements to reduce high turnover and disruptions.

  • Phasing out non-compliant permits so that all operators are held to the same standard.

These protections are not about “banning” tourism—they are about ensuring tourism is sustainable, fair, and balanced with the needs of those who call Big Sur home.

Moving forward, strong enforcement will be critical. Without it, loopholes and non-compliance will continue to undermine the ordinances and threaten our community’s future. STR revenues, including transient occupancy tax, should never outweigh the priority of preserving housing for locals and maintaining the integrity of the Big Sur Coast.

Big Sur is not just a destination. It is a living community, one that depends on the careful enforcement of the Land Use Plan and the new STR rules. We urge residents and visitors alike to understand these policies and support their enforcement—so that Big Sur remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive, not just visit..