Supporting City Services in Rancho Cucamonga, Without Increasing Taxes on Residents
Information About Potential Measure on November 5, 2024 Ballot
The City of Rancho Cucamonga is known for its strong quality of life and vibrant character where one can live, work, raise a family, and retire. The City strives to maintain safety, security, and a high quality of life for all who live, work, and visit here.
Reliable Source of Funding for Some City Services
One of the fiscal means to maintain this quality and character is the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), commonly known as a “bed tax or “hotel visitor tax”. Paid by hotel, motel, and short-term rental guests staying in Rancho Cucamonga, the TOT provides a modest but reliable source of funding for some City services, doing so without any tax burden on Rancho Cucamonga residents, unless staying at a local hotel, motel or short-term rental. The City’s TOT was first implemented by a City ordinance (Ordinance No. 197) in 1983 at a rate of 10% and has not been raised since, and has not kept pace with rising costs.
A Modest Increase in Local Revenue at No Cost to Rancho Cucamonga Taxpayers
The TOT could be updated through a voter-approved ballot measure that would increase the TOT paid by hotel, motel and short-term rental guests by an amount to be determined. The City will conduct a public opinion poll to help determine a potential increase and whether there is public support to place a measure on the November 2024 ballot. An increase to the TOT would provide locally-controlled revenue that would help the City plan for long-term budgeting of key City functions, including:
- Supporting Public Safety
- Addressing Homelessness
- Improving Infrastructure
- Maintaining and Improving Parks and Open Space
- Supporting City Programs for Seniors and Youth
Required Fiscal Accountability Keeps All Funds Local
The City’s current TOT is subject to mandatory accountability requirements and a potential ballot measure to increase it would include the same provisions, including:
- All money raised by the potential measure could only be used to fund local services and infrastructure within Rancho Cucamonga City limits
- A clear system of accountability would be required, including annual independent audits and public disclosure of spending
We want to hear from you! Community feedback is an important component of our planning process. Please let us know what city services are important to you by completing the survey below.