Steve Kaufmann Discusses Appellate Victory Ending Santa Barbara Vacation Rental Ban in the Coastal Zone

Steve Kaufmann secured a notable appellate victory for a client, overturning Santa Barbara’s short-term vacation rental ban in the coastal zone. Steve, who was the lead lawyer on the appeal, commented to Continuing Education At The Bar (subscription required), that the opinion “confirms that there are not two regulatory schemes governing ‘development’ in the coastal zone—one for cities and one for the Coastal Commission.” He added that this was the “right result.”

Steve represented Theodore Kracke in the matter—who owns a company that manages short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). Continuing Education At The Bar noted that the case was a result of the City of Santa Barbara beginning to regulate STVRs as hotels in June 2015—prohibiting STVRs from operating in most residential areas of the coastal zone. News of Steve’s win was also covered in the Santa Barbara Independent, Courthouse News Service and Noozhawk.

The case is Kracke v. City of Santa Barbara, case number B300528, in the Second District Court of Appeal for the State of California.