Whittier : Law Would Prevent Change of Guest Houses to Rentals

The City Council gave tentative approval Tuesday to an ordinance aimed at preventing the conversion of guest houses into apartments. The ordinance must also be approved at a second reading next month before becoming law.

The ordinance clarifies what guest houses are and establishes a clearer process for approving their construction. It amends zoning regulations to limit guest houses to areas of not more than three rooms, including a bathroom. Guest houses may not have kitchens, and they cannot be rented or used as permanent living space for guests or family members.

“Over the years there have been guest houses built and converted to full-blown living units, with added kitchen facilities and things like that,” Whittier Planning Director Elvin Porter said. Home sellers have sometimes told buyers that guest houses could be rented, and some have been, Porter said.

The new ordinance includes a provision requiring home buyers to be informed that guest houses cannot be used as apartments.

City staff is also developing proposals to prevent the conversion of garages into illegal apartments.