Violators of Larkspur’s ban on short-term rentals will soon face fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, the maximum penalties allowed under state law. However, the enhanced penalty scheme approved Wednesday does not close the door on vacation rental operations in the city entirely, said Elise Semonian, the city’s planning director. The city staff is still researching options and costs associated with permitting short-term rentals with monitoring and enforcement. Short-term rentals are defined as homes rented for 30 days or fewer. “Staff is recommending adopting higher fines for violations to...…Violators of Larkspur’s ban on short-term rentals will soon face fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, the maximum penalties allowed under state law. However, the enhanced penalty scheme approved Wednesday does not close the door on vacation rental operations in the city entirely, said Elise Semonian, the city’s planning director. The city staff is still researching options and costs associated with permitting short-term rentals with monitoring and enforcement. Short-term rentals are defined as homes rented for 30 days or fewer. “Staff is recommending adopting higher fines for violations to...WW…

Indigenous Peoples Day demonstrators tore down a statue of Junipero Serra after covering it in paint at Mission San Rafael Arcángel in San Rafael on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)Five people accused of felony vandalism were arrested Monday for defacing and tearing down the statue of a Spanish missionary outside of St. Raphael Church in downtown San Rafael, police said.According to the San Rafael Police Department, a small group of protesters covered the statue of Junipero Serra with paint before tying straps around it and pulling it...…Indigenous Peoples Day demonstrators tore down a statue of Junipero Serra after covering it in paint at Mission San Rafael Arcángel in San Rafael on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)Five people accused of felony vandalism were arrested Monday for defacing and tearing down the statue of a Spanish missionary outside of St. Raphael Church in downtown San Rafael, police said.According to the San Rafael Police Department, a small group of protesters covered the statue of Junipero Serra with paint before tying straps around it and pulling it...WW…