By Lookout Staff

August 6, 2010 -- In the first case of its kind in Santa Monica, a landlord was convicted for illegally renting his home in Ocean Park to large numbers of vacationers for short-term stays.

The City charged that for months Bruno Vavala illegally operated his single-family home at 804 Navy Street as a hotel, which is an unpermitted use in the low-density residential area.

"Short-term rentals of homes are generally prohibited by the City’s Zoning Code, which, among other things, seeks to maintain and protect the existing character of residential neighborhoods, and prevent undue burdens on limited public facilities within those neighborhoods," the City Attorneys office said in a statement.

The City cracked down after neighbors repeatedly complained that there was excessive noise, traffic, and safety concerns at the Navy Street home because it was being used as a hotel.

Vavala refused to heed repeated warnings by the City’s Code Enforcement Officers, and the City began prosecution, City officials said.

On Monday, Vavala pled “no contest” to illegally using his residential property for an unpermitted use, in violation of the Santa Monica Zoning Code.

Under a plea agreement with the City Attorney’s Office, Vavala was put on probation and will pay fines, court costs and reimburse the City's enforcement costs for a total of approximately $4,000.