I strongly agree with the recommended changes to the county code for vacation rentals, but I have to wonder if the count of vacation homes is really accurate. Do we really have over 4900 vacant homes in the county and only 953 vacation rentals? As noted earlier, how many of the 41% (5584) owner-occupied homes are only used by the owners and their family/friends? Since vacation home permits are for life, how are they actually monitored? What about short-term rentals over 31 days that do not require any permit? Are the short-term rentals (over 31 days, but not year-round) reflected in the percentage of rental-occupied homes? I'm assuming they are, so how does that actually affect the availability of rental units available for full-time residents? These are all questions that I hope will be answered by the Planning Department.

To those who seem to think there is no impact by vacation homes on the communities where they are located...try living next to a 5-bedroom party house.