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Short term rental ordinance I heard about this a couple of days ago and finally got around to getting a copy. You guys are going to love this. The request to set up the first public workshop is October 26th. After reading I think you will agree a workshop on this ordinance is a waste of.
sowal.com
The public is invited attend and provide input on Walton County’s proposed Short-Term Vacation Rental Ordinance. Join County staff for a series of public workshops on the County Commission’s initiative to address the impacts stemming from short term rental activity in Walton County. Specifically, the workshops are intended to explore the following:
This advertisement shall serve as public notice that one or more County Commissioners will be in attendance and discussing actionable items which may later be voted on by the full County Commission.
Workshop Dates and Times October 7, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
October 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Workshop Location: South Walton Annex
31 Coastal Centre Blvd
Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459
Oct 7, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 872 3346 9658
Oct 21, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 851 1464 4707
Last edited by a moderator: Feb 8, 2023I understood the moderator in the workshop last night to say that short-term rentals are "allowed" per Florida Statutes (?) HOAs cannot "prohibit" short-term renting. So how can some HOAs (like WaterSound Origins) "limit" short-term rentals? Anyone know more specifics on this?
The state statute prohibits local governments from prohibiting short term residential rentals in any zoning district. That law does not prohibit private covenants and restrictions from restricting the short term rental of units or homes within a project. That private “contract” between association and member is not affected by the statute that only applies to local government.
The above is correct. Some local subdivisions have even restricted rentals completely, not even long term rentals allowed.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners is in the process of taking public input and collecting data to support its objective of reducing the negative impacts generated by the rapid increase in the practice of short-term rental of single-family residences within existing residential neighborhoods.
Part of the Board’s concern stems from ever increasing numbers of conversions of older existing homes to much larger residential structures designed to accommodate large numbers of short-term renters.
The Board has tasked the County Planning Department with generating draft proposals to regulate these structures and their landlord/owners to address public health, safety and welfare issues created within the neighborhoods around them.
The Department will also collect data on the impacts on public resources and infrastructure generated by these high intensity uses.
The staff has developed an initial draft ordinance which follows the format adopted by many of Florida’s coastal cities and Counties to create a registration/regulation system to address the most widely recognized impact areas. The Board has requested that staff take this draft out for a series of public workshops to take input from residents using the draft as a strawman for discussion.
Staff is recommending the creation and implementation of a Short Term Rental Vacation
Certificate program. Such program would establish minimum requirements such as:
Obtaining a Florida Department of Revenue certificate of registration for purposes of
collecting and remitting tourist development taxes, sales surtaxes, and transient rental
taxes; Obtaining a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation license
as a transient public lodging establishment; and maintaining initial and ongoing
compliance with the Short-term Vacation Rental Standards to be placed in the Walton
County Land Development Code plus any other applicable local, state, and federal laws,
regulations, and standards to include, but not be limited to, Chapter 509, Florida
Statutes, and Rule Chapters 61C and 69A, Florida Administrative Code.
The Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate program could also establish occupancy
limits based on the ability of the structure and site to safely accommodate and park
occupants. Alternatively, a standard occupancy maximum could be imposed without
regard for the site/structure. Under the occupancy by site/structure approach,
occupancy limiting factors could be based on available parking at a revised rate of one
space per three occupants, on-site sewage treatment system limitations, and other life
safety factors associated with the structure. Potential requirements of the ordinance
could be:
• Minimum life safety requirements and Initial and routine life safety inspections;
• The designation of a local responsible party;
• Minimum rental / lease agreement inclusions and requirements;
• Required posting of minimum vacation rental unit information such as: the
maximum occupancy of the unit, the maximum number of vehicles which can be
parked at the unit, trash collection requirements, quiet hours, sea turtle
information, and beach safety system information among other requirements;
• Remedy and enforcement provisions; and
• Vesting provisions.