Harvest Host Locations Cited for Operating Illegal Campgrounds

[Talloaks]

Originally Posted by Jay D.

your right with a hotel tax there is money exchanged. but HH has NO money exchange. if i stay there i don't pay anything, how can they tax me? if HH receives NO money how can they be taxed on something they didn't get?
Jay D.

Activities can be taxed. There is no requirement for a commercial/monetary transaction in order for a tax to be levied.

[RoadTrip2084]

Originally Posted by BobGed

The rumors of the demise of HH in SLO are greatly exaggerated. The following is an excerpt from the posted article:

San Luis Obispo County recognizes that something needs to change. The current ordinances were not drafted with Harvest Hosts in mind, and it’s obvious that the trend is here to stay.

On October 4th of this year, the SLO County Board of Supervisors instructed its staff to start designing a Harvest Hosts-specific ordinance. Initially a Tier 1 issue, it has since been lessened to a Tier 2. Official hearings will begin in February 2023.

Well there you go. This actually looks like good governing in action, if anything.

I can see where HH activities might be unfriendly to neighbours with RVs rolling in and out every day, etc. In any case, it's good to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's, legally speaking, if your business depends/benefits from it.

It's a net good thing for RVing if more local governments implement reasonable HH bylaws so it's not some quasi-legal grey area just waiting for one neighbour's complaint to shut it down.

Will be interesting to see what the new HH bylaws look like when they're done. Harvest Hosts (the company) should also be all over and in front of these concerns across the nation, lobbying local governments, etc.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

Not sure if you are a Harvest Host member, but out of a couple dozen HHs I have stayed at or had made/almost made reservations at, only one had more than 2-4 spaces to park and not a one was anywhere near a neighbor.

Even with 3-4 spaces, Only once did I have 2 other RVs and only a couple more with one. Most stays I was the only overnighter.

Agreed. Commercial operations like a farm or a winery will always have large trucks making deliveries and taking their product to market.

Is HH taking away from commercial RV parks? Sure, but it cannot make a real difference in their revenue.

Ray

[Jay D.]

Originally Posted by Talloaks

Activities can be taxed. There is no requirement for a commercial/monetary transaction in order for a tax to be levied.

could you site me a couple examples ?? i may be stupid, but i've been setting here trying to think of something i have done that was free, but got taxed for it.
Jay D.

[NLOVNIT]

Folks, please keep to the subject at hand. Take taxing free activities to a new thread if you want to discuss that.

Thank you

[propchef]

Originally Posted by gatorb8

So, you live next to a winery that parks 7-8 rv’s on your property line every day because they have a one night only policy. 7-8 coming and 7-8 going every day. Some getting lost and trying to turn around with toads. Some have a barking dog, etc etc I get it.

Kinda like living in a family neighborhood with your 4 kids, Every house sells and is turned into airbnb. Now you live in a Hotel neighborhood. I get it.

So how did all these businesses survive before HH? I don’t get it.

I don’t live in California and do see how HH could upset the balance. Get everyone together and come up with a plan.

I see you've never been to Napa. Tour buses outnumber RVs by a wide margin.

BIGCEASAR wrote: And you can also be assured that in the California wine country the wineries carry much more political clout than any RV Park.

I chuckled at this. Generally, the locals don't like the wineries. The wineries don't carry any more "political clout" than anyone else.

[Hpozzuoli]

Reason 247 why that fault line needs to sever California from the rest of the country. It’s amazing how the richest of country are by far dumbest.

By richest I am referring to movie actors and the like. Not folks who are rich from actual hard work.

[propchef]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

Reason 247 why that fault line needs to sever California from the rest of the country. It’s amazing how the richest of country are by far dumbest.

By richest I am referring to movie actors and the like. Not folks who are rich from actual hard work.

That's Southern CA. NORCAL has the earthquake faults. Refusing to explore and enjoy an amazing state because of perceived political differences is just a bit silly. But I digress.

So the rest of the country is free to ignore zoning and permitting requirements?

Interesting. You'll find codes all over the US that prohibit overnight parking or sleeping in the unit anywhere other than a bonafide campground, especially if it falls within a city limit.

[Psneeld]

...

[Bobby F]

When AirBnB popped up, it evaded many existing regulatory structures set up to keep tabs on and guide rental property. After a bit, the regulatory system took note of it, there were some growing pains, and now the reg system has absorbed it and crafted regulations that allow it to function, but within some bounds.

When Uber popped up, we saw that same story. It started out unregulated, the regulatory system took notice of it, and now it is regulated.

Harvest Host is just going through those same stages.

[Bigceasar]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

When AirBnB popped up, it evaded many existing regulatory structures set up to keep tabs on and guide rental property. After a bit, the regulatory system took note of it, there were some growing pains, and de now the reg system has absorbed it and crafted regulations that allow it to function, but within some bounds.

When Uber popped up, we saw that same story. It started out unregulated, the regulatory system took notice of it, and now it is regulated.

Harvest Host is just going through those same stages.

AirBnB regulations are far from settled. Popular destinations are constantly having regulatory battles between short term rental operators and full time residents. Harvest Hosts’ market is a tiny fraction of the short term rental market. In most areas it will not merit any regulatory changes. Local authorities will likely either have no complaints to act on or will apply existing regulations to either allow or shut down those locations that actually draw scrutiny.
On a different note, taxes aren’t the only financial source for local governments. Business licenses are significant as well.

[NLOVNIT]

Thread closed. This has run its course & posts keep going off topic.