NEWPORT BEACH : ‘Party House’ Rules Deferred by Council

Officials’ hopes for quick passage of strict rules to control notorious Newport Beach “party houses” by the summer rental season were dashed this week by landlords’ harsh criticism.

During heated debate in a post-midnight council session early Tuesday, just a few property owners and managers remained to challenge the council’s plan, which has been strongly supported by Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer. Her West Newport Beach district is a known destination for summer party-goers.

The new ordinance would change the status of people who rent properties to visitors who stay 30 days or less. Now considered real estate agents, they instead would be classified something more akin to an innkeeper or hotel operator. The rental agents would need to obtain a city permit to conduct business and could have that permit revoked if they rent to raucous or disruptive tenants, under the now-stalled ordinance proposal.

Rental agents have long agreed with the city that loud and noisy late night parties in the summertime bruise the city’s posh image and are a problem for permanent residents.

However, they argue that the new rules would have required rental agents to have Superman-like eyes that could peer beyond renters’ credit checks and into their personal vacation behavior. Plus, they add, the rules would threaten to put agents out of business if they rent to a few bad tenants.

“We all have the same goals,” said Gilbert G. Foerester, who rents properties in the city. “I’m just saying this isn’t the vehicle. . . . I believe the ordinance is flawed and it will not meet its objectives.”

Plummer, however, countered that putting some regulations in place and testing their effectiveness would be better than allowing another season of rambunctious behavior in the West Newport Beach area.

“We have a problem down there. We owe a responsibility . . . to the residents who live there to curb the abuses of the people who come down and use this neighborhood for a stomping ground.

“This ordinance isn’t perfect . . . but if we don’t get started, nothing’s going to get done,” Plummer said.

The council, however, voted to postpone a decision on the new ordinance for two weeks during which time rental agents and property owners are scheduled to meet with city officials to try to improve the ordinance. City officials still hope to have new regulations in place before summer rental season gets underway.