Santa Cruz Municipal Code Part 9 Bed-and-Breakfast Inns

These regulations are established in order to facilitate bed-and-breakfast uses in commercial districts which cater to visitors; encourage bed-and-breakfast uses in residential districts where they are appropriate, while protecting surrounding residential uses from their commercial impacts; and encourage the preservation and maintenance of buildings listed on the Historic Building Survey.

(Ord. 96-05 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 94-33 § 62, 1994: Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

* Editor’s Note: Former Section 24.12.800, “Purpose,” was replaced in its entirety by § 1 of Ord. 96-05.

(1) In districts which allow hotels, motels and lodging, bed-and-breakfast inns shall be subject to the same regulations as hotels and motels. In all R-1, R-L, R-M, R-T(A) and R-T(D) districts, bed-and-breakfast inns shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Bed-and-breakfast inns shall provide breakfast and may provide other meals for registered guests. No meals may be served to unregistered guests or the general public.

(b) No cooking facility shall be allowed in guest rooms.

(c) Guest occupancy shall be limited to fourteen days during any thirty-day period.

(d) Guests shall check in and out only between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

(e) Bed-and-breakfast inns shall be managed and occupied by the owner of the property.

(f) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the bed-and-breakfast use shall comply with all requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.

(g) Prior to the zoning board’s public hearing of the application, the applicant shall provide evidence that written comments have been solicited from all owners and occupants of lands adjoining the proposed use. Any written comments received shall be submitted to the zoning board.

(h) A transient occupancy permit shall be obtained prior to activating the use permit.

(2) In addition to the requirements contained in subsection (1) of this section, bed-and-breakfast inns in the R-1 Single-Family Residence District and the R-L Multiple Residence-Low Rise District shall meet the following requirements:

(a) There shall be a distance of either two full blocks or fifteen hundred lineal feet, whichever is greater, between bed-and-breakfast inns.

(b) The structure proposed for a bed-and-breakfast use shall be listed in the city of Santa Cruz Historic Building Survey.

(c) No use permit may be issued to authorize a bed-and-breakfast use if that use would result in a net loss of multiple dwelling units which have been occupied as such for two years prior to the application date.

(d) Signs shall be affixed to the structure, externally lighted only, and turned off by 10:00 p.m.

(3) This section of the Zoning Ordinance is also part of the Local Coastal Implementation Program.

(Ord. 96-05 § 1 (part), 1996).

In addition to other findings required by Sections 24.08.030 (Design Permit), 24.08.040 (Special Use Permit), and 24.08.930 (Historic Alteration Permit), all applications for bed-and-breakfast uses within R-1, R-L, R-M, R-T(A) and R-T(D) zoning districts shall be consistent with the following findings:

(a) The proposed use will further the preservation of any historic building(s) involved as evidenced by proposed repairs and improvements to the building and property, and the establishment of an economic use of the building which will support its continued maintenance and improvement.

(b) The proposed use, as conditioned, will not create noise, parking or other detrimental impacts on the residential neighborhood in which it is located.

(c) The proposed use will further General Plan policies related to historic preservation, tourism and economic development.

(Ord. 96-05 § 1 (part), 1996).