Requirements & Standards for Short-Term Vacation Rentals


Minimum Safety Requirements:

(a) A swimming pool, spa or hot tub shall comply with the current standards of the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, Chapter 515, Florida Statutes.

(b) The Vacation Rental shall have a functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detection and notification system which shall be installed and continually maintained consistent with the requirements of Section R314, Smoke Alarms and Section R315, Carbon Monoxide Alarms of the Florida Building Code-Residential.

(c)  A portable, multi-purpose dry chemical 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher shall be installed, inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 on each floor of the Vacation Rental.  The extinguisher shall be installed on the wall in an open common area or in an enclosed space with appropriate markings visibly showing the location.

 

Minimum Posting Requirements:

The following information shall be posted in a conspicuous location on an interior wall inside the vacation rental for the safety and convenience of occupants:

  1. The location of the nearest hospital
  2. The non-emergency police telephone number
  3. The dates and times of trash pickup and recycle locations
  4. The street address of the vacation rental and land line number (if applicable)
  5. The name and phone number of the Designated Responsible Party
  6. Emergency evacuation instructions.

 

The following additional information shall also be posted in a conspicuous location on an interior wall inside the vacation rental in close proximity to the main entrance:

 

  1. The maximum occupancy of the vacation rental
  2. The maximum number of vehicles that are permitted to park at the vacation rental based on the number of off-street parking spaces on-site, including enclosed spaces as determined by City Staff
  3. A notice of the need to respect the peace and quiet of neighboring residents which shall state as follows: “You are vacationing in a residential area.  Please be a good neighbor by not making excessive noise or engaging in boisterous behavior, especially after 11:00 p.m.  Such behavior can deprive your neighbors of the peaceful enjoyment of their homes.”
  4. A statement that sound is audible beyond the property lines of the vacation rental unit is regulated by the City’s Noise Ordinance and that violation of the noise ordinance could result in fines to the occupants.
  5. A statement that dogs which are not within a fenced area must be on a leash pursuant to County ordinance, and failure to adhere to such requirements could result in fines.
  6. A statement that recreational vehicles, boats and trailers may not be parked in the front of the house, except for temporary loading, unloading and cleaning.

A copy of the Certificate of Registration for the vacation rental shall be posted next to or on the interior side of the primary door to the vacation rental.

 

Parking

 All vehicles associated with the vacation rental shall be parked within a driveway or parking area located on the premises and in compliance with all applicable City ordinances.  The owner shall provide one space of off-street parking for every four persons of occupancy permitted pursuant to Section 22-64.  Where structures existing as of the effective date of this Article are unable to provide off-street parking, the vacation rental shall be permitted to a maximum occupancy of four persons, unless otherwise limited pursuant to Section 22-64.  Recreational vehicles, boats and trailers may not be parked within the front yard, except for temporary loading, unloading and cleaning.  

 

Advertising

Any advertising of the vacation rental shall conform to the information submitted with the application for registration of the vacation rental and to the information shown on the Certificate of Registration specifically including, but not limited to, Maximum Occupancy.  It shall be a violation of the Ordinance for an owner to advertise a vacation rental as being available for occupancy at a level that exceeds the Maximum Occupancy established for the vacation rental. 

 

Maximum Occupancy

 The Maximum Occupancy of a vacation rental shall be stated in the vacation rental Certificate of Registration Form, and shall be limited to the lessor of:

  1.  Two persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons; or
  2. One person per 150 square feet of temperature-controlled living space within the vacation rental; or
  3. Twelve (12) persons.

 

The Maximum Occupancy restrictions do not apply when the property is occupied by the owner of the vacation rental. 

A vacation rental that was operating as a vacation rental as of February 9, 2022 at an occupancy rate higher than would be allowed under Section 22-64 of the Ordinance, may apply for a grand fathered status for a period of five (5) years, as to occupancy limitations. 

 

Pre-Existing Vacation Rentals Prior to February 9, 2022

The Maximum Occupancy limits set forth above shall not apply to a pre-existing rental agreement entered into and fully executed prior to February 9, 2022.