IN THE LATE 1970’S THE CITY OF VERO BEACH ENACTED AN ORDINANCE OUTLAWING SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS. IN THE ABOVE ADVERTISEMENT FOR A VERO BEACH RENTAL NOTE THAT IT SPECIFIES A MONTH’S RENTAL.
Florida State Representative Mike Larose and State Senator Greg Steube have introduced companion bills, now in committees (HB-425 & SB 188), relating to Florida vacation rentals that: “A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not restrict the use of vacation rentals, prohibit vacation rentals or regulate vacation rentals based solely on their classification, use or occupancy. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011.” (Emphasis added.)
See related article:
Since Vero Beach’s ordinance was put into effect prior to June 1, 2011, it’s 30 day regulation would be grandfathered by these companion bills.
But now State Senator Steube has filed an amendment to SB 188 regarding short-term rentals that would impact Vero Beach’s 30 day regulation ordinance.
His amendment would delete SB 188 lines 26-27 and replace them with what is written below.
Line 24: This paragraph does not apply to any
Line 25: law, ordinance or regulation on or before June 1, 2011,
Line 26: except when such law, ordinance or regulation is being amended
Line 27 to be less restrictive.
Once again, Senator Steube’s amendment would delete lines 26-27 above and insert:
Except when such law, ordinance or regulation:
1. Is being amended to be less restrictive; or
2. Reduce local regulatory burdens on vacation rentals, in whole or in part, by a person who is currently serving on active duty in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or owned by a disabled veteran with a service-connected evaluation of such disability of 30% or more, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
As such, even though Vero Beach’s ordinance dates to the 1970’s, prior to June 1, 2011, Senator Steube’s amendment would nullify it to the extent of line 2 above, which would place the City in a position to monitor who or who doesn’t fall into that category.
Unless they have already done so, it would seem the City Council should take a position on this, and if they feel inclined to oppose it, go to Tallahassee and speak out against it.
In an email exchange with Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor we asked about the impact of monitoring who or who doesn’t fall into the line two category. He replied that “You are correct it does make enforcement of the ordinance next to impossible if checking to find out if someone is a veteran or not.”
Presumably this task would be the responsibility of the Vero Beach Police Department. Do they have the force necessary to address this burden?
Vero Communiqué 
Pingback: Correcting, With All Due Respect, Indian River Shores, FL Reference to Vero Beach, FL. on Short-Term Rentals. | Vero Communiqué