YANGOT PUSHES REGULATORY ORDINANCE FOR TRANSIENT HOUSES

September 17, 2022 Metro BLISTT

The Baguio City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking to regulate the use and operation of transient houses in the city. Councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr. said there is a need to regulate transient lodging facilities in the city to ensure safe, healthy, and nondiscriminatory housing arrangements for transient users through a regular licensing inspection program.

“If unregulated, transient lodging facilities can create negative compatibility impacts in residential neighborhoods, including inappropriate commercialization and disruption of the character of neighborhoods, excessive noise, overwhelmed on-street parking, inappropriate conduct, and excessive garbage,”

Yangot wrote in his proposal. Under the proposed ordinance, transient lodging is allowed if it is compliant with the zoning ordinance. It shall also be allowed under the following circumstances: 1. Specific bedroom
accommodation. An owner of an occupied single family dwelling may rent out no more than two bedrooms for a period of not less than 34 hours and not more than 30 consecutive days. Under this arrangement,
the owner must occupy the residence during the stay of the transient visitor.

2. Entire residential unit accommodation. An owner may rent out their primary residence for a minimum of seven consecutive days and not exceeding 30 days. Under this type of arrangement, the owner may, but is not required to, remain in the premises during the stay of the transient guests. Before providing transient
lodging, the property owner must obtain a transient lodging license for each property to be designated as a transient lodging facility.

The property owner must pay to the city government for their annual license and will be required to submit documents such as the floor plan of the transient house or building. Prior to occupancy, the property owner shall obtain the full name, address, and vehicle license plate information of the transient visitor/s, record the number of visitors and date of rental, and require them to formally acknowledge responsibility for compliance with the applicable laws, rules, and ordinances pertaining to vacation rentals in the city.

Moreover, the proposed ordinance shall prescribe the following standards: the dwelling shall remain as a single household residential living unit with common housekeeping, kitchen, and laundry facilities; the transient lodging facility shall not be used for non-residential purposes; the property owner shall be responsible for the safety and welfare of all transient visitors and preserve the peace of the community.

Transient visitors must not cause noises or disruptions to the neighborhood and must maintain the property in accordance with city ordinance. They must report violators to the barangay officials; The property owner shall be responsible for trash removal or recycling. There shall be no fly or mosquito-breeding places, rodent harborages, or undrained areas within the premises.

All garbage shall be collected and stored in covered containers; All owners must comply with the anti-discrimination ordinance of the city when renting out their properties; public streets and rights-of-way shall not be used for day-time or overnight parking of vehicles by tenants; and local emergency contact information shall be posted visibly within the rental unit; Following the determination by the Permits and Licensing Office (PLDO) of violations, the license of a transient lodging facility may be suspended or revoked. Violations include operation of a rental unit without proper registration.

In cases of emergencies, especially public health emergencies, the PLDO may issue an order compelling all transient lodging facilities to close until a written permission from the PLDO is rendered. The PLDO shall act as the inspecting authority for the city government, issue licenses, and maintain records relating to this
ordinance. Likewise, it shall provide informational materials regarding this ordinance. The proposed ordinance has been referred to the city council’s Committee on Market, Trade and Commerce, and
Agriculture for review.

Sangguniang Panlungsod/Jordan G. Habbiling