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AirbnbWATCH Florida - Jan. 18, 2022

01/19/2022 4:01 PM | Anonymous

Newsletter: January 18, 2022

Legislative Update

Last week, Senate Regulated Industries advanced SB 512 with little discussion and an unanimous vote. The bill nows heads to the Community Affairs Committee in the Senate. After that committee, the bill will have one more committee stop in the Rules Committee before it proceeds to the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, HB 325 has not yet been heard in the Florida House. However, its first committee, the House Regulatory Reform Subcommitteemeets this Thursday at 1:00 PM. As always, we will alert you as soon as either bill is scheduled for a hearing.

Thanks for your continued support.


In Case You Missed It  

Fake vacation rental scams found on Marco Island, ABC 7

In the past week, officers have received two reports of people showing up on Marco island after booking vacation rentals online, only to find out that the property was occupied by an actual renter or an owner of the property. Upon investigation, police found two other fraudulent ads for Marco Island rental properties on Craigslist.

St. Augustine residents angry over speeding and short-term rentals, First Coast News

St. Augustine residents have voiced their concerns over a busy road, Riberia Street, where 19 short-term rentals exist across the one-mile span. Unruly renters already threaten the neighborhood peace, but speeding and a lack of sidewalk space have added to the residents' concerns. Some residents say that speeding and an abundance of short-term rentals are correlated. 

Fort Myers re-affirms decision to increase short-term rental registration fees, Fort Myers Beach Talk 

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council reaffirmed its decision to enact higher short-term rental fees and to increase the town's municipal parking lot meters on Monday. While the extra revenue has not been designated to a certain sector yet, some council members argue that the profits should go towards affordable housing in the region, among other things. The new short-term rental registration and renewal fee is set at $300. 

Conflict over short-term rentals ensues at Coral Springs City Hall, Coral Springs Talk

Multiple residents spoke out against the city’s current vacation rentals regulations during the Coral Springs City Commission meeting last week. Residents argue that the city is not doing enough to regulate short-term rental homes as more unruly renters threaten the city's peace. Vice Mayor Joshua Simmons said the city commission has worked tirelessly for three years to call and lobby state politicians to gain more control over vacation rentals.

City of Sarasota vacation rental program open, Sarasota Magazine

The City of Sarasota adopted an ordinance last May requiring vacation rental registration in the residential neighborhoods within the Coastal Island Overlay District. Registration began Jan. 3, 2022, and a certificate of registration must be obtained by June 1. The ordinance establishes an occupancy limit and requires 24-hour contact information for the rental, among other requirements, such as a written reminder about sound and parking.

Vacation rental debate teed up for new session, CBS Miami

On Tuesday, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee is scheduled to take up a bill (SB 512), filed by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, that is the latest version in a long-running battle between cities and counties as to who should have to regulate vacation rentals. Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, has filed an identical bill in the House. The bills would allow local governments to require the registration of vacation rental properties.

Key West considers doubling transient licensing fees, Keys Weekly

Key West Commissioners are moving to approve a new law that makes sidewalk cafes official and sets the fees for restaurants wishing to place tables and chairs on city sidewalks in front of their establishments. The Commission also considered its first-ever cost increase to the city’s transient rental medallion program that requires short-term rental properties to buy an annual medallion that authorizes rentals of fewer than 28 days. The cost has remained unchanged since 2006. 


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