City of Encinitas Hotel Tax, Proposition F (June 2008)

A City of Encinitas Hotel Tax, Proposition F ballot question was on the June 3, 2008 ballot for voters in the City of Encinitas in San Diego County, California, where it was approved.

Proposition F imposed an 8% tax on short-term lodging rentals in Encinitas. "Short-term" is defined as less than 30 days. City government officials voted to put the measure, along with the Beach Sand Tax, or Measure G, on the ballot.

There are approximately 130 short-term rentals in Encinitas, and if Measure F and Measure G had both passed, they were expected to put about $250,000 per year into the city's treasury. Encinitas spends $40,000 a year to replenish the sand on its popular beaches.

Election results

Proposition F
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		6,162	56.4%
No		4,764	43.6%

These final, certified, results are from the San Diego County elections office.

Support

The main argument put forward by supporters in favor of Measures G & F is that guests who stay in local hotels and motels, or B&Bs, already pay a similar tax, whereas guests who stay in short-term housing that is not defined as transient lodging don't pay the tax.

Opposition

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association opposed Measure F and G. So did City Council candidate Joe Sheffo.

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

	PROPOSITION F: "Shall an ordinance be approved to amend Section 3.12.030 of the Encinitas Municipal Code to require guests of short term rental units (for 30 days or less) to pay 8% of the rent charged as a transient occupancy tax effective January 1, 2009?"

See also

• California 2008 local ballot measures
• San Diego County, California ballot measures
• Hotel taxes in California

External links

• Text of Measure F
• Propositions would tax short-term rentals
• Voters to decide on taxing short-term rentals
• Encinitas: Voters to decide sand tax measures