The Carlsbad City Council, in a 3-2 vote, amended an ordinance that limits short-term vacation rentals, allowing condo owners at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to use their units as short-term rentals.

The change allows owners at two buildings inside the gated community known as The Chateaus to rent their units on a short- or long-term basis. The amendment is expected to boost property values, since rental income is a key selling point, said attorney Michael Kim, who owns a condo at the resort. Online vacation booking services like VRBO and Airbnb have increased use of private homes for vacation rentals in beach communities throughout San Diego County.

Coastal cities, including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Del Mar and San Diego, adopted ordinances to regulate such rentals beginning in 2003. Carlsbad adopted a similar ordinance last year in response to homeowner complaints of noise, trash and safety concerns. The ordinance allows such rentals in areas near the beach that have hotels and other tourist-related businesses. A small portion of the La Costa resort was included, but the council’s vote expands this use to a broader section of the resort condo community. [SDUT]