February 14, 2018
Short-term Rentals Preemption - Oppose HB 773!
Yesterday evening (2/13),
HB 773
(
La Rosa
) was NOT considered by
the
House Government Accountability Committee.
T
his bill will likely be back on next Thursday's (2/22) agenda. It is essential that you continue to contact members of this committee and urge them to OPPOSE HB 773.
Your advocacy is working.
HB 773 (La Rosa) prohibits cities from establishing ordinances specific to short-term vacation rentals. Instead, the law would require that all residential properties be treated the same, regardless of whether the property is being used as a rental or not. HB 773 would allow cities with vacation rental ordinances in place prior to June 1, 2011, to amend their ordinance, but only if the amendment makes the regulation of vacation rentals less restrictive.
Talking Points
Recent History
- We’ve been down this road before. Local government was preempted from regulating vacation rentals in 2011. This legislation included a provision that “grandfathered” any ordinance regulating vacation rentals prior to June 1, 2011.
- The preemption only made problems worse and the legislature realized it. The language was amended in 2014 to allow local communities to regulate short-term rentals through life safety and building codes, as well as other codes specific to vacation rentals. However, cities are still prohibited from regulating the duration and frequency of these rentals, as well as regulating these properties through zoning.
The Problem
- The massive growth of the “vacation rental” industry. Large-scale investors now dominate the home rental market with real-estate investment groups displacing true “away from home” vacation rentals.
- Over-commercialization of neighborhoods. Short-term rentals, especially those run by out-of-state real estate conglomerates, are causing problems by creating commercial activity in residential areas (mini-hotels in neighborhoods). Houses built for families of four are now advertised to “sleep 20.”
- Neighborhoods are suffering. Problems include noise, inadequate parking, infrastructure intended for residential use is now being used on a commercial scale, and decreased property values in neighborhoods taken over by highly-commercialized vacation rentals. Some vacation rentals are being used as party houses, complete with a cover charge and DJ’s in multiple rooms. The ripple effect on neighborhoods, and the homeowners who live in the community year-round, are devastating.
The Ask
- Cities need the ability to balance the property rights of all homeowners so that neighbors can peacefully enjoy their properties.
The Florida League of Cities OPPOSES legislation that further reduces a local community’s ability to respond to problems created by the over-commercialization of short-term rental properties.
Should you have questions please contact Casey Cook at
ccook@flcities.com
or 850-701-3609.
Please continue to contact Representatives on the House Government Accountability Committee and urge them to Oppose HB 773.
