> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# ‘Mini-hotels’ back on the block
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/mini-hotels-back-on-the-block/
- Published: 2004-02-04T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:43:48.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Downtown, #archive-import

*Commissioner: ‘Get a room,’ a real one*

*By MICHAEL TITTINGER Daily Press Staff Writer*

CITY HALL — City officials are once again checking into “mini-hotels.”

With a self-imposed ban preventing the creation of any new short-term rental units in Santa Monica about to expire, the city’s planning commission tonight will discuss a law that would allow them again.

The proposal would allow for the formulation of new short-term housing rentals, defined as a mandated minimum stay of 30 days, in certain commercial districts of the city’s downtown area. The zoning ordinance does not currently contain any provisions to allow the so-called “mini-hotels.”

However, according to Plan-ning Director Suzanne Frick, the amendment is intended primarily to prohibit the conversion of existing structures into short-term rental housing units.

“We want to protect the existing housing stock for long-term tenants,” Frick said Tuesday, adding that she was unsure whether or not the commission would actually vote on the proposal tonight. “The people who use these (”mini-hotels”) are transient by nature. They’re not establishing roots within the community.

> “We want to protect the existing housing stock for long-term tenants.” — — SUZANNE FRICK Santa Monica planning director

“We strive to have a more stable residency.” Ashort-term rental housing unit combines a commercial venture, similar to commercial lodging, with a residential use, according to the text amendment up for discussion.

The three-year debate over short-term rentals became such an issue that in May of 2001 the City Council imposed an interim law preventing the formulation of any new ones. A series of extensions followed. The latest is set to expire on June 19.

Not everybody is on board the “mini-hotel” bandwag-on, however.

“It’s a solution in search of a problem,” said planning commission board member Jay Johnson. “This is an end run around hotels. There’s no benefit to the city.

“The city gets nothing.” Johnson is upset that City Hall will collect no bed tax from the short-term renters, as it would if they had stayed in a local hotel. In addition, most will enjoy amenities comparable to those offered by luxury hotels.

Utilized primarily by entertainment-industry executives, consultants and other freelance workers, many of the short-term properties have on-site gyms, office space, valet parking and maid service. The apartments are fully furnished and also typically have small kitchens.

“My concern is that by building these ‘mini-hotels,’ we’re going to drive out existing businesses,” Johnson said. “I do not see the sense of this at all.”

According to Frick, under the amendment, short-term housing rentals will only be approved in downtown districts where hotels are already permitted. In addition, they will be subject to review in acquiring the necessary land-use permits.

“There are some concerns by board members,” she acknowledged. “Whether it will be a sweeping approval or case-by-case is undetermined.

“I don’t know how it’s going to go.” Johnson would just like “mini-hotels” to go for good. “It’s a stealth issue, coming out of left field. I’m very disturbed over it,” he said. “It’s senseless. We shouldn’t permit short-term rentals. Let them get a hotel room. That’s what the hotels are for.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 4, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020404.pdf?ref=smdp.com)