| Dear Members of the Sonoma County Coalition of Hosts, We need your voice—NOW—to protect public access to California’s coast! What’s happening: Next Wednesday, August 13, at 9am, the California Coastal Commission will decide whether to accept staff recommendations that would severely restrict and, in some areas, ban most short-term rentals (STRs) in Monterey County (Calendar see Agenda Item 15a). These changes threaten to set a damaging precedent that could impact every STR host along the California coast, including Sonoma County.Why does this matter?Short-term rentals are the foundation for public access to the coast. According to the Coastal Commission’s own data, STRs provide up to 80% of overnight visitor capacity in Monterey County’s coastal areas, serving families and individuals who rely on affordable, flexible, and family-friendly accommodations that hotels can’t match. This proposal doesn’t protect our coast; it privatizes it. By making STR hosting prohibitively expensive (permits costing $10,000–$15,000 and more than a year to receive) and sharply restricting rental options, only the wealthiest will have access to California’s iconic coastline. If this precedent is set, it will reverberate statewide, jeopardizing public access in our own community. Take action: Two ways to make your voice heardSubmit a written comment: Email your testimony to CentralCoast@coastal.ca.gov by 5pm THIS Friday (August 8). Sign up to testify at the hearing: Register to speak virtually at the Commission meeting by 5pm next Tuesday, August 12 at https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/request-testimony/wednesday/. Note in your signup you want to comment on Agenda Item 15a. Talking points you can use: # STRs are essential for maximizing public access and providing affordable, lower-cost visitor accommodations. #. Banning or limiting STRs disproportionately benefits a handful of affluent property owners at the expense of the wider public. This outcome contradicts the California Coastal Act’s promise of equitable access for all. Urge the Commission to reject the staff recommendation and instead partner with hosts for fair solutions that balance housing needs and coastal access. The bottom line: The staff recommendation dramatically limits not just STRs, but the very ability of everyday Californians—and visitors from all walks of life—to enjoy our coast.Together, we can show the Commission that all voices matter—not just those of a privileged few. Please act this week to defend coastal access for everyone.Thank you for standing with us, Sonoma County Coalition of Hosts & Friends Join Us Now at: SonomaCountyCoalitionofHosts.org > Click “JOIN” |