Foothills Sentry Page 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 OC Grand Jury explores cities’ responses to short-term rentals By Carrie Graham In response to countywide complaints about short term rentals (STRs), the Grand Jury of Orange County has released a report on cities’ responses to them. Short-term rentals, often referred to as “Airbnbs,” are dwellings that are rented out all, or in part, to tenants for less than 30 days. Not all cities allow STRs. Of the 34 cities in the county, 19, including Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda and Santa Ana, have banned them. While more than half of the county has put the kibosh on the burgeoning industry on paper, it can often leave code enforcement playing a never ending game of “whack-a-mole.” A code enforcement official has to observe a code violation to be able to issue a citation. With many enforcement employees working only during regular business hours, and the most common complaints like noise and nuisance occurring on evenings and weekends, there’s little recourse other than verbal warnings to the property's emergency contact person after the fact. Emergency contacts are another issue themselves. Cities typically have requirements that an owner have information on file in the event of a complaint, and are often expected to respond to those complaints within either a 30- or 60-minute window. However, in many instances cities reported that those contacts were unresponsive, leaving issues unresolved. Several Orange County cities – Orange, Seal Beach, Dana Point – have clear permitting procedures that explicitly outline “Good Neighbor” policies, yielding lower complaint rates. These policies require the owner to directly notify immediate neighbors of an STR, provide contact information, and provide proof of that notice to the city. Another thing the Grand Jury believes Orange got right is its system for collecting Transient Occupancy Taxes or TOTs. The city utilizes an online portal where owners must report the number of nights their STR was rented each month and pay the appropriate taxes. However, Orange is an outlier. Many cities are using outdated reporting systems like paper forms, and rely on an honor system for payments, sometimes on a quarterly or annual basis. While TOT revenue makes up a relatively small part of the average city budget, some may still be missing out. One issue pointed out among cities that allow STRs was the creation of “quasi-monopolies.” Though some cities, like Orange, have waitlists that are meant to make it more equitable for new owners to eventually get a permit, it’s not so simple in practice. The permits can often be transferred to a new owner or family member, meaning they aren't vacated for new applicants. The report recommends cities with waitlists consider setting a limit on permit durations to allow others the opportunity to get one. Some opponents of STRs claim that STRs are taking up valuable units in an area that is desperate for more affordable housing. The Grand Jury review did not find any evidence to support the allegation, with STRs taking up a negligible amount of units available in each city. In Orange for example, they account for only about 2% of otherwise affordable housing. Finally, the county recommends that cities have a plan in place to reevaluate their STR ordinances in regards to potential surges in demand. While Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Olympics, two venues in Orange County, the Honda Center and Lower Trestles Beach at San Onofre, will host the indoor volleyball and surfing competitions, respectively. That may well bring many more short term renters to the county. Crescendo kicks off fall with Beach Boys tribute The Celebrity Speakers Series of the Crescendo Guild of Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the Beach Boys tribute band, Catch A Wave at its Sept. 18 program, the first of the 2025/26 season. Catch A Wave (formerly The Beach Toys) is the original striped shirt true-to-form Beach Boys tribute show that many have now copied. Band members are from Southern California, just like the Beach Boys themselves, and recreate the look and sound of a live Beach Boys concert. Hits include "Surfin’ USA," "Fun, Fun, Fun, "Good Vibrations," "California Girls" and "I Get Around." The show begins at 10 a.m. at the Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana. Parking is $7 cash at the museum. Tickets are $45 general admission. Bowers members may buy a ticket for $35. For information about tickets contact Barbara Hagan at (714) 272-1134 or email crescendoticketsbowers@ gmail.com. Reserved tickets and additional tickets may be paid for at the door by using check, cash or credit card. The Guilds of Segerstrom, including the Crescendo Guild, raise funds to support the Center’s community engagement and arts education programs. Cover of “Tearing Down the Orange Curtain,” the break-out of the Punk Rock scene in Orange County, by Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn. Early Punk in OC will rock OC Historical Society meeting By Guy Ball Author and journalist Nate Jackson will discuss pivotal years of Orange County's punk and third-wave ska scene (19782000) at the next monthly meeting of the Orange County Historical Society. Jackson will focus on the historical and musical roots that led to this creative explosion of rock-and-roll amid the relative calm of suburbia. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, starting at 7:30 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St. Attendance is free for OCHS members or a $5 donation for non-members. The Orange County punk scene stands out as an undeniable trendsetter that helped define the sound and style of the rapidly evolving genre. From hard luck storytellers Social Distortion and multi-platinum sellers like The Offspring to cult heroes like The Adolescents and T.S.O.L., there’s much insight to gain from the story of this popular though often misunderstood music scene. Nate Jackson is co-author of "Tearing Down the Orange Curtain: How Punk Rock Brought Orange County to the World," with fellow journalist Daniel Kohn. The book explores the trajectory of punk and ska from their humble beginnings to their peak popularity years when their cultural impact was felt around the world. Delving deep into the personal and professional lives of local bands like Social Distortion, The Adolescents, The Offspring, and their ska counterparts No Doubt, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, and more, this book gives readers a deeper look into the very human stories of these musicians, many of whom struggled with acceptance, addiction, and sometimes brutal teenage years. Jackson was born in Orange County and came up in the local punk scene, playing in bands and rumbling through the mosh pit in warehouses, DIY venues, and clubs across SoCal. He is currently the Deputy Editor of entertainment at the L.A. Times. He was previously the Music Editor for OC Weekly and staff writer for the Times. For more information about the Orange County Historical Society, local history, and future meetings, visit OrangeCountyHistory. org. Boutique Noël to ring in holiday season Get a jump on holiday shopping at the 31st annual Boutique Noël, to be held from Wednesday, Oct. 8 through Saturday, Oct. 11. The Assistance League of Orange® recasts its historic Chapter House, in the heart of Old Towne Orange, into a shopper’s paradise. Boutique Noël is well known for its many one-of-a-kind items hand-crafted by its members, unique décor and gift items from select local artisans and vendors, plus a kitchen filled with edible treats. The “Shop with Purpose” motto of Boutique Noël means each purchase will help support the more than 20 philanthropic programs of the Assistance League of Orange®. “Our mission is to transform lives of children and adults through our community programs.” Hours for the free event are Wednesday, 2:30 to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Chapter House is located at 124 South Orange Street. For further information about Boutique Noël or Assistance League of Orange, please email us at boutiquenoel@alorange.org or visit alorange.org. West Katella ripe for opportunity The City of Orange, focusing on future economic development, is exploring opportunities for growth in the West Katella Avenue area to compliment Anaheim’s OC Vibe project on that city’s side of the Santa Ana River. That multi-year project will eventually include entertainment venues, restaurants, office space, public parks, housing and two hotels. Orange is currently working with Anaheim on the OC Riverwalk, a project intended to turn that waterway into a regional destination. The Orange side of the river also has potential for recreation, entertainment and hospitality. The vision for the area between Batavia Street, Katella Avenue and the water channel is to create a similar hub that would also include an innovation district for educational and health institutions. The city is working with area property owners and other stakeholders to advance that vision, and will seek funding to build out the public infrastructure and incentivize private investment. Jeremiah Gilbert and Talia Estrada wed Keith and Gloria Gilbert of Orange announce the wedding of son Jeremiah and Talia Estrada following the groom's graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May. The couple were married May 30 at the Aliso Viejo Country Club. Ryan Cavin, Youth Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church Newport Beach, officiated. The bride is the daughter of Erik and Laura Salazar of Fountain Valley. Talia and Jeremiah met while attending high school at Newport Christian School in Newport Beach. They were both at the top of their graduating class and were accepted at their first choice schools on the East Coast. Jeremiah graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps with a Service Assignment as a Marine Aviator. Talia graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering. She plans to pursue her master’s degree during Jeremiah’s upcoming Marine training and flight school. The newlyweds will move from Annapolis to Quantico, Virginia, while Jeremiah attends the Marines Basic School and then on to Pensacola, Florida. Catch a Wave Jeremiah and Talia Gilbert Artist conception of visionary Katella gateway Proposed hub for entertainment and innovation
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