TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners advanced a draft ordinance this week that would create county rules for short-term vacation rentals, including a registration requirement for owners.
The county has more than 3,000 short-term vacation rentals. Commissioner Harry Cohen said the county currently has no county regulations specific to short-term rentals, though state rules are in place.
Cohen brought the proposal forward after hearing from residents in the Baycrest community. Under the draft ordinance, vacation rental owners would have to register with the county, pay a $200 fee, and designate a 24-hour representative to manage the property.
“I think this ordinance is a great first step,” Cohen said.
The proposal also includes a $50 charge if an owner does not show up for an inspection. The county believes the registration fee would generate $600,000 a year.
“Our code enforcement and sheriff’s office representatives feel that this will be a very effective way to have accountability at a house where things are going on beyond the scope of a short-term rental,” said Cohen.
Some residents in the Baycrest community said the proposal does not go far enough.
Samantha Freeland, who moved to Baycrest 14 years ago, said the neighborhood has seen an increase in short-term rentals and related problems.
“We have had instances of drunk people climbing fences of my neighbors,” Freeland said.
Freeland said the number of short-term rentals in the community has grown quickly.
“Back in January, we had 96 short-term rentals. We are now up — within seven months to 121, and it is only going to get worse unless these regulations start taking effect,” Freeland said.
Baycrest resident Mark Kiddo said neighbors want additional requirements, including mandatory safety inspections before registration and progressive fines for violations.
“What is happening is it’s falling short of actually being something,” Kiddo said. “What we want to see is a strong ordinance that actually protects.”
Kiddo said residents want strict penalties for owners of short-term rental properties after repeated violations.
“If it gets to the point that they violated so many times, we’re asking that the license or the registration be pulled,” Kiddo said.
Cohen said the ordinance is intended to create a starting point that can be adjusted over time.
“Whenever you do something like this, you start out with a framework, you see how it goes and you adjust it as you move along,” Cohen said.
Cohen is expected to meet with Baycrest residents at the end of the month. Hillsborough County commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance Sept. 2.
If approved, commissioners want the rules to take effect Jan. 1.