photo credit: Courtesy zillow.com
3119 Mt. Veeder Rd.

More than four years of investigation and litigation into an allegedly illegal Napa County short term rental business ended in a half million dollar settlement for the county. 

While the city of Napa does issue permits, short term rentals are prohibited in unincorporated Napa County.

A 2019 Napa County Grand Jury Report found that despite prohibitions, 450 residences were nevertheless being used as short term rentals.

"The settlement agreement represents a big step in upholding the integrity of Napa County's zoning and short-term rental regulations," said Brian Bordona, Napa County's planning director.

"The county's enforcement efforts in this case represent our commitment to protecting businesses that operate in compliance with the community's interest," Bordona continued.

The official response to the grand jury vowed to continue enforcement, noting negative impacts of short term rentals to school enrollment, rental prices for ordinary residents, and local tax revenue.

Officials were tipped off by a nuisance complaint concerning a home on Mt Veeder Road in 2018 possibly being used as a short term rental.

The county began investigating late the following year. A suit was filed in 2021.

Officials alleged the same operators, doing business as Wild Horse Properties LLC, were also using a second home, on Wild Horse Valley Road, as a short term rental. The company has no listed phone number.

The county ended up hiring an outside firm, which ultimately resulted in the settlement.

According to the Napa Valley Register, the county had originally sought three times the agreed upon amount. A message left with Erika Green of the firm Aleshire & Wynder, which represented the county, was not returned by deadline.

County officials described settlement talks as "prolonged." And that the $500,000 settlement amount covers expenses incurred by Napa County, including unpaid transient occupancy (hotel) taxes, penalties, code enforcement costs, and outside counsel fees.

As of Thursday, the 5 bedroom 5 bathroom house at 5145 Wild Horse Valley Road was listed for lease at $25,000 a month, according to napa-homes-and-estates dot com.