'Party Houses' Are 'Pervasive Problem,' Some Residents Say

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors signaled Tuesday that rental properties leased for weekend parties and other uses that create disruptions may be the subject of future regulation.

"The county needs to get out in front of this so there's adequate ability to enforce and prevent this kind of activity from occurring," said Supervisor Bob Buster.

The Riverside-area farmer said he had received an increasing number of complaints from various homeowners' associations in unincorporated communities about noise, traffic and other disturbances connected with raves and similar large gatherings at rental houses.

"Homes that are designated as single-family residences are being used for commercial ventures," county resident Kathleen Hamilton complained. "More entrepreneurs are using residential property for motel use."

Vicki Long with the La Cresta Property Owners' Association said she and her family had been "suffering a party house" adjacent to their home for the last eight months.

"There are parties there every weekend," Long told the board. "They're renting properties for $3,000 a weekend. People are purchasing houses just for these activities, and it will get worse without an ordinance."

Fred Barts with the Morgan Hill Homeowners' Association in Temecula said people who had purchased million-dollar homes weren't getting to enjoy them.

"People did not buy these places ... just to have this kind of activity in their neighborhood," Barts said.

Supervisor Jeff Stone noted a "pervasive problem" in the Temecula Wine Country of single-family dwellings being turned into "nothing more than motels, creating disruptions to the lives of surrounding property owners."

At Buster's urging, the board voted 4-0 to commission a study by county agencies to determine what land-use regulations might be implemented to prevent rentals from becoming party homes. The board directed that the study be completed in 45 days.