The Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing is pleased to announce that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has approved the short-term vacation rental plan that was submitted following its approval at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 19.
Per the Governor's Executive Order 20-123, all counties seeking to reopen vacation rentals were required to submit a written request and rental safety plan to DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears for review and approval.
In developing the plan, Martin County staff reviewed the guidelines recommended by the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association along with plans already submitted by several other counties. The team also spoke with several local management companies to review expectations and deliverables.
"We appreciate the Martin County BOCC's support and thank Secretary Beshears and the team at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the quick review and approval of this plan. Tourism is a vital industry in Martin; for every tourism dollar spent in Martin County, 65 cents stays local. The loss of revenue incurred by the inability to offer short-term rentals impacted not only the businesses and individuals responsible for these rentals but had a negative impact on the entire tourism economy in Martin County. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our destination while doing so safely and within the CDC guidelines," said Tourism Director Nerissa Okiye.
The plan presented to the Secretary would allow for short-term vacation rental reservations and the acceptance of arriving guests in Martin County beginning today, May 22, 2020. Plan specifics, related to reservations, health and safety and cleanliness, can be found
here
.
For information or questions regarding the reopening plan, owners and managers should contact the Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing at 772-288-5445.
