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The homeowner stood nervously in the crowded City Performing Arts Center as the city manager and the council listened. She explained the agonies of living next door to a private home rental and her frustration that nobody responded to her complaints. Her once peaceful neighborhood was no longer a refuge.

As she spoke, a hissing sound came from a large group of realtors and their employees sitting together in a roped off section of the room.

The city manager admonished the realtors, not for the first time, that such outbursts would not be tolerated at this town hall meeting. The hissing, booing and cheering for their own side continued. The homeowner left the room quietly, as did many others. Soon, as the council called more speakers, it became apparent that many no longer wished to speak. During a break most went home, intimidated by the realtors. It was hard to believe the usually-friendly salespeople could turn so rude over this issue.

3 months later, in June of 2004, the city council ignored a request to put the private home issue on the ballot, but voted to have staff tell them how to treat the home rentals the same as the motels. The staff, then city manager Michael Perry, did nothing. Two years later he quit his lucrative job at the city to work for those realtors, and against the residents wishes for better home rental management.

Now, residents, lodge owners and even some private home renters have registered 484 signatures on a petition to put a new Private Home Rental Ordinance on a special election ballot unless the city resolves these issues very soon.

Michael Perry has sent a letter to possibly every voter in Big Bear, representing himself as their former city manager, claiming to expose an effort by one Bed and Breakfast owner to eliminate private home rental competition. He has asked you all not to sign this petition. This ordinance will not eliminate private home rentals. Please read the Letters written in response..

This proposed ordinance will protect the rights of residents living near rented homes. It would require private home rentals to follow rules similar to all other local licensed Transient Occupant Rental business (Hotels, Motels, Lodges, Bed and Breakfasts), and it would require the rented homes to meet the same health and safety standards.

Our goal is a fair and reasonable ordinance, not a lawsuit. Its no more or less than the rest of us have to follow, something that will require rented homes to be safe and courteous neighbors. We expect it to improve the experiences of our many visitors. It will improve the quality of life in Big Bear.

The Chamber of Commerce, led by Snow Summit employee Brent Tregaskis, has been persuaded to support CPRPRO, the group that pays Michael Perry to campaign against the ordinance. This group appears to represent some rental agencies, realtors, the ski resort, and maybe some other businesses that are unwilling to allow any restrictions of rentals even though the quality of life and home values could be improved. Unfortunately, it seems that many supporters believe Perry's claims without having read the ordinance. If you are a member of the chamber, the RA, or the board of realtors, you should let them know how you feel and whether you believe your dues are being well spent. Stan Miller did. 

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Over 500 signatures were turned in to the City Clerk Kathy Jeffries and City Manager Jeff Mathieu at 2 PM December 7. Shown below are author Dixie Allison and petition signer Jim Mclean, surrounded by many supporters. The city has until January 25 to certify the valid signatures which we believe to be 484. There seems to be more interest now in negotiating ordinance changes the city could enact without putting this on the ballot in a special election. The Measure G special election attempted by Michael Perry and his employers reportedly cost taxpayers $250,000.
Click on the picture for a larger version 

Click here for a great story from www.bearvalleynews.com.

Or here for the LA Times article

Story in www.SBSUN.com mentions 3rd qtr TOT receipts, $200k from PHRs, $280k from lodging, but to see the actual trend, PHRs are passing us by a projected over $100k in reported taxes (and much more goes unreported), add up the annual totals from the www.citybigbearlake.com links. My estimate, click here.

Read the new ordinance here. Read the petition here.

Read what others have to say, and add your comments to our Web Log (Blog) here: http://bigbearprivatehomes.blogspot.com
(click Add Comments and join blogspot or just use anonymous and write your name)

As of Friday, July 11, 2008, the city has been told by a judge that the petition was not valid. The council will have to decide whether to remove it from the ballot, or leave it. http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/07/11/news/latest_news/wprhruling.txt

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Email me for more info and any comments: phord@bigbeararea.com. I am Bob Pool, our family has operated 2 lodges with 24 total rental units (currently) since 1980. At times I have also managed other lodges and many rental homes. I want to see a fair ordinance whether I'm operating a lodge or homes or both. I consider most realtors and agencies my friends and we have had many good discussions. I am not in favor of suing them, name-calling or smearing reputations. If you think I've done that or you would like to discuss this please contact me or submit your opinions to the blog at http://bigbearprivatehomes.blogspot.com so everyone can read them. I have received a few dirty looks from some old friends who see this as McLeans against realtors. Please, please, talk to me because I believe I'm trying to protect neighborhoods, property values, all businesses and the future of our beautiful resort.
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Questions or comments?

Q. They say this is about money, more for lodge owners. A. The vast majority of supporters are residents who are tired of the way their neighborhood peace and quiet is being ruined. Yes, lodge-owners are in deep trouble financially (and the future of Big Bear lodges is at risk) as their market has been diluted by a huge influx of home rentals, but even the private home rentals themselves are being hurt badly. Only the large rental agencies have benefited from this recent growth, as they, unlike every property owner, do not pay the monthly overhead. They just get a piece of every rental and more units means more commissions. Not long ago, a realtor may have told a home buyer he could pay all or most of his mortgage by renting the home. Now, with the huge glut of uncontrolled rentals, the home owner may find himself earning less than half what used to be normal. A better ordinance will cost more but will protect home values for both renters and residents.

Q. They call this an attack on private home rentals. A. We believe private home rental growth has become an attack on quiet neighborhoods and long-time commercial lodges. Commercial lodges have asked for fairness only for several years. This will NOT eliminate Private Home Rentals.

Q. They say this will reduce TOT revenue to the city. A. This ordinance requires that it be enforced better and with stronger penalties than currently exercised which will allow the city to look for, notify, and fine the many unregulated and non-paying homes. The net result should be better managed homes, in compliance, with more of those rented paying tot (tax).

Q. They say this will take away income for tourist businesses. A. Lodging in homes or motels used to fill most rooms on Saturday nights and holidays. Now, thousands of homes and almost all of the hundred or so lodges cannot fill up even on Saturdays. Most rooms sit empty on weekdays (50% to 75% of commercial units and maybe 80% of homes). No renter is making money. This ordinance will not remove home rentals but it may remove many not in compliance now and reduce them enough that they make money again. Visitors will still find plenty of lodging and their experience will improve.

Q. They say this will take away jobs at the many large private home rental agencies. A. Professional agencies will be an important tool to help the homeowner operate within proper guidelines. Ask us lodge owners how many jobs we eliminated as we fought reduced income. My business is now almost entirely family run. You see me mowing my lawns.

Q. They say this will take away homeowner's rights. A. This gives homeowners a way to rent their homes without abusing the rights of neighboring homeowners. 

Q. They say sophisticated lodge owners are trying to eliminate competition from the mom and pop home owners. A. Who says this? Rental Agencies operating over 400 homes? Almost all lodge owners are families. Who are the Mom and Pops? Ask Oak Knoll Lodge and Mallard Bay Resort. Big companies are putting them out of business after over 75 years. There are now many more real estate agents and developers than lodge owners up here. Of course most of them don't want any new restrictions. They have already raised more money to fight this ordinance than those of us asking you to vote for it. It is the non-renting individual home-owners who have no voice in this. Small lodge owners (who already abide by these rules) have only a small voice and small rental agencies could benefit. Please support this and let the voters decide.
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Private Home Rental Visitor Recommendations:

When renting a private home, we recommend that you contact the property management with any questions and make sure you are prepared for a fun and safe vacation in Big Bear.

1. Private Home Spas are not inspected or regulated by the Health Department They tell us non-commercial spas are not safe for transient use. Make sure any Spas have been cleaned prior to check-in. Also ask that they be inspected and chemically adjusted for safety the day you check in and each day that you plan to use them. This may require an extra charge but would allow for a safer, more enjoyable experience.

2. Make sure any and all kitchenware that you plan to use has been washed in a dishwasher or at least in hot, soapy water and air-dried prior to your use.

3. Make sure all mattresses are covered by a water-proof protector.

4. Ask where your trash should be dumped.

5. Be courteous to your neighbors, most live there all year. Don't trespass, park in the streets or make excessive noise.

Here is what State Health officials say, (this has been suppressed or ignored in San Bernardino County and Big Bear Lake): Guidelines for the Installation and Operation of Fill and Drain Spas and Hot Tubs (approved September 2007)
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