In Florida, there’s a big shake-up brewing over how vacation spots like Airbnb and Vrbo get to do business. The state’s Senate just pushed through a bill called SB 280, and now it’s up to Governor Ron DeSantis to decide what happens next. This new rule could really mix things up by changing local rules that have been around since 2016, setting up new statewide rules for these rentals instead.
Here’s the scoop on what’s changing: there’s going to be a limit on how many people can crash overnight, with a rule of thumb being two folks per bedroom, plus a little leeway for a couple of extra guests in shared spaces. Property owners need to get their places registered with the authorities or they could get hit with fines if they slack off. Also, they’ve got to have someone ready to jump on any complaints or emergencies, 24/7.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is getting ready to track all short-term rentals in a big database. They’re also going to make sure that taxes are collected properly from all those rental listings. But, with only nine officers planned to cover the whole state, some folks are wondering if that’s really going to be enough to keep tabs on everything.
Florida’s always been a magnet for tourists, pulling in over 100 million American visitors every year lately, plus millions from overseas. For some, this booming rental market is a golden opportunity to cash in on their property. But others are worried it’s making it tougher for locals to find affordable places to live and driving up costs.
Airbnb’s been talking up how much it contributes to the tourism economy, saying it collected a whopping $387 million in tourism taxes in Florida just in 2023. But with cities and counties already trying to keep a lid on these rentals, this new state bill hasn’t been all that popular. Now, the ball’s in Governor DeSantis’ court, and there’s a growing chorus asking him to think twice about this bill, worried about what it might mean for Florida’s booming tourism and hospitality scene. If he signs it off, these changes are set to start rolling out on July 1, 2024.
