Fullerton : City Planners Move to End Motel-Apartments

In an attempt to eliminate the use of motels as apartment complexes, city planning commissioners have recommended a restriction on the number of people who can stay in motel rooms and the imposition of a tax on motel owners for their long-term guests.

The proposed ordinance, which goes next to the City Council for action, is designed to eliminate the motels-turned-apartments, which often are permanent homes for those who cannot afford first- and last-month rent deposits. In Fullerton, there are at least six such motels, which are plagued with overcrowding and potential health problems, city senior planner Barry Eaton said.

Last May, for example, Orange County health officials confirmed a minor outbreak of hepatitis among residents of the Ambassador Inn, which Eaton said has a large percentage of permanent residents.

Planning commissioners last Wednesday recommended that all Fullerton motels pay the 8% transient occupancy tax, which is required for guests who remain in a building less than 30 days, for all occupants--regardless of how long they stay. In the last few years, Fullerton has lost about $1 million from the tax not being collected in motels whose occupants remain longer than 30 days, Eaton said.

A second measure in the proposed ordinance calls for restricting the number of people in a motel room to two persons per 150 square feet, plus one additional person for every additional 50 square feet. A typical motel room has between 200 and 250 square feet, Eaton said.