SLT vacation ordinance faces court challenge

Updated June 17 11:10pm:

Jim Morris, owner of Lake Tahoe Accommodations, is suing the city of South Lake Tahoe in regards to the existing vacation home rental ordinance.

“We are fairly sure they violated the law in how they passed the ordinance,” Morris told Lake Tahoe News. “And they didn’t justify the money and how it is generated. We want to see them back off.”

The city this spring adjusted its master fee schedule to better reflect what it costs to do business.

Many people are upset with the vacation home rental fees, saying money has been banked so there is no need to raise rates.  The city maintains it is merely charging what it costs for people to do their jobs.

The lawsuit seeks to stop the fee increases that were approved by the council this spring. An injunction has been requested until the court decides the matter. That could be decided at the July hearing.

The city late June 16 received a copy of the lawsuit that had been filed June 5. On the City Council agenda for Tuesday was the claim related to this matter. In closed session the council rejected it.

Lake Tahoe Accommodations manages 230 properties around the lake.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report