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Tag: Vacation Rentals

Fire district looks at reclassifying vacation rentals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Vacation rentals are a popular use of residential properties both on the Island and in unincorporated Manatee County where West Manatee Fire Rescue’s district is located. Now district leaders are looking at reclassifying those properties within their district as commercial properties for enforcement and tax purposes.

During a January board meeting, Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski presented the idea to the district’s staff and board of commissioners as a life safety concern. With so many people in and out of vacation rentals across the district and limited oversight from government agencies, as a preventative measure, he said he’d like the district’s fire prevention bureau to be able to inspect the properties for safety.

Inspections would include looking for items such as properly placed smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, floor plans of the home indicating exit points, emergency lighting and other precautionary measures commonly found in commercial properties. To fund the initiative, he suggested the fire department’s staff look into the possibility of assessing the owners of vacation rental properties in the district as commercial rather than residential properties. If that happens, it will mean a jump of approximately $200 per year, depending on the size of the property, for vacation rental owners and an increase of more than $1 million in funding to the fire district.

To run the program, Kwiatkowski said the district would need two more inspectors and an assistant at an estimated cost of $350,309 per year with an additional $140,000 needed to pay for department vehicles for the new hires.
Currently, the district charges a fire assessment on residential trim notices at a lower rate than they do for commercial properties. And while multiple-unit residential properties are already assessed and inspected as commercial properties, traditionally residential properties, such as single-family homes and duplexes, are still treated as if a full-time resident lives there. Because they are rented, Kwiatkowski said that under the state’s fire code, the properties are identified as transient public lodging establishments, allowing for them to be inspected by the fire district’s staff. This is the same designation given to a hotel.

In the past three years, Kwiatkowski said that of the 11 residential structure fires on the Island, eight of them were at vacation rental properties. In 2022, he said there were three pediatric drownings or near-drownings on the Island, all of which occurred at rental properties.

He presented the proposed project at a Holmes Beach Code Compliance town hall meeting with vacation rental owners and representatives on Jan. 31, reassuring the rental community that the fire department would be working with local municipalities to make sure that enforcement and inspections would not overlap with those currently taking place on the Island as a result of city efforts to make rentals safer for visitors. He added that the inspections would likely begin taking place in the fall.

Castles in the Sand

Do you really want to be a landlord?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

It’s not uncommon for people to look at the job of a real estate agent and say, “Wow, that looks easy. Work part-time, pick your hours, work from home and make a lot of money.” Well, those of us who have done the job know that none of that is actually true. Similarly, purchasing a second home – whether you’re setting it up as a rental investment property or using it for your personal use – is never as easy as it looks.

If you’re purchasing a property to rent, the benefits include passive income and tax breaks. Properties on Anna Maria Island, for example, have become so expensive that just getting into a property will cost a lot more than in previous years.

You need a minimum of 20% down if you’re financing, and mortgage loans on an investment property can be higher by a point or two than primary homes or even second homes that are non-rentals. In addition, investment property loans include higher minimum credit scores and a more desirable debt-to-loan ratio. Lenders also generally require more cash reserves as well.

Maintenance of a second home, whether it’s an investment property or one for personal use, has gone up considerably in the past couple of years. Some owners say it’s as much as 10%, which seems a little low to me. The cost of materials, appliances and labor have hit all homeowners, but second homeowners are hurting on all of their homes.

Anna Maria Island, especially this season, is maintaining a very high occupancy rate for rental properties. But this is not always true and if you lose the ability to rent the property, your stream of income is severely damaged. Inflation is taking a bite out of everyone’s budget and vacations are a luxury; having a nice cash buffer will help with the anxiety of not having a tenant.

One of the major benefits of owning a second home is to watch your appreciation grow and grow and grow. And that certainly has happened in the past two years. But here again, we have seen real estate markets take a plunge, taking all of your “mental equity” along with it. You’ll need to develop nerves of steel to invest in real estate.

Finally, if you have the vision of generational family gatherings passed down through the years long after you’re gone, don’t be surprised if your beneficiaries don’t feel the same connection to the property or each other. Family members may feel differently on the amount of usage, the cost of upkeep, whether the property should be updated, should they allow rentals or if indeed they even want the property. It can become really tricky to make everyone happy, especially if one of the family members wants out and the others need to come up with the cash to buy them out or sell the property.

Even on Anna Maria Island where beach houses and other second homes are off the scale valuable, ownership isn’t easy. Just like any piece of real estate, it becomes a daily chore that will all be paid back to you while sitting on your beachfront deck. Now if you want something easy, get a real estate license; we all know that’s a piece of cake.

Fireside chats: Vacation rentals

Written by Rodney Kwiatkowski on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

Our community is changing. That’s a given, but communities are always changing, and change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When it comes to changing communities, the fire district’s goal is to adapt to the change and continue providing the needed services. We are not politicians, but public servants and among the most valuable service we provide is safety. Walk into any supermarket, doctor’s office, library, etc., and you will find occupancy-specific passive and active fire and life safety features designed to protect life and limit the damage caused by fire; fire barriers, fire alarms systems and sprinklers systems to name a few. Local fire districts have done a commendable job of keeping up with the change in these areas. However, there is one area where change has outpaced our ability to keep up… vacation rentals.

Let me be clear, West Manatee Fire Rescue District is not proposing the enactment of any new legislation or ordinance aimed at restricting or prohibiting residential occupancies from renting as transient public lodging establishments; that is not our goal, nor is it our role. As a fire district, we recognize the value both small and large business provides to a healthy, vibrant community. Our objective is life safety!

Safety in vacation rentals

It is estimated that someone is injured in a vacation rental every 44 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Estimations aside, during the last three years on Anna Maria Island there were 11 structure fires at single-family residential occupancies. Of those 11, eight, or 73%, occurred at licensed transient public lodging establishments (TPLE).

Furthermore, on Anna Maria Island in 2022, not counting on our beaches or in swimming pools located at multi-family occupancies, there were three pediatric drownings or near drownings; of those three, 100% occurred at TPLEs.

The drowning crisis last year provoked a WMFR Water Safety Campaign that was kicked off by a press conference in Holmes Beach where, among other experts, Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth gave impassioned pleas imploring the public to commit to overseeing young people while in and around our waters. Since then, WMFR has continued its efforts to provide water safety materials to local vacation rental companies. Along the way, questions have been asked as to the extent of oversight the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has over vacation rentals. This article wishes to address that question.

What is a vacation rental?

Florida Statute 509.242(1) states, “A public lodging establishment shall be classified as a hotel, motel, non-transient apartment, bed and breakfast inn, or vacation rental if the establishment satisfies the following criteria…” Florida Statute 509.242(1)(c) goes on to define a vacation rental as, “Any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative or any individually or collectively owned single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family house or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment…” And finally, Florida Statute 509.013(4)(a)(1) defines Transient Public Lodging Establishments as “any unit, group of units, dwelling, building, or group of buildings within a single complex of buildings which is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests.” Transient public lodging establishments are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR).

There are some exclusions, however. For example, if one had a single-family home and wished to convert it into an assisted living facility, a license from the Agency for Healthcare Administration (ACHA) would be required. Similarly, requirements for daycare centers and nursing home licensure would be required. The aforementioned are occupancies that WMFR has been inspecting annually for years without hesitation or question. WMFR inspects these occupancies utilizing the appropriate prescriptive chapters of the current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

Fire code and vacation rentals

Florida Statute 633.206(1)(b) Uniform Fire Safety Standards states: “State Legislature mandates local fire jurisdictions protect the health, safety, and welfare of “all-new, existing, and proposed… nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family-care homes…  transient public lodging establishments…” Additionally, it goes on to say in 633.206(2)(b), “All such local authorities shall enforce, within their fire safety jurisdiction, the uniform fire safety standards for those buildings specified in paragraph (1)(b).” Lastly, the Division of State Fire Marshal’s Florida Administrative Code 69A-43 Uniform Fire Safety Standards for Transient Public Lodging Establishments, Timeshare Plans, and Timeshare Unit Facilities further address the required inspections of TPLEs and which specific prescriptive code sections to utilize.

Changing together

As Manatee County, Anna Maria Island and the vacation rental industry continue to grow and change, it is incumbent upon WMFR to keep up with the change. The fire district has a state mandate to protect the health, safety and welfare of those vacationing in transient public lodging establishments. To that end, WMFR wishes to partner with all state and local stakeholders to ensure those living, working and playing within our community are safe. Please join us at our first vacation rental stakeholders meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall.

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s sewer rehabilitation project will begin soon along the west side of Gulf Drive South. The county project is expected to impact traffic and parking along Gulf Drive South and the adjacent side streets for the next year and a half to two years.

On Jan. 12, several Manatee County staff members and Woodruff & Sons construction firm employees participated in a public information meeting at Bradenton Beach City Hall that was attended by more than 50 people. In that informal setting, county and construction company representatives explained the project and answered questions posed by attendees. Project maps and illustrations were also displayed.

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic
More than 50 people attended the project-related public information meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ogden Clark serves as strategic affairs manager for Manatee County’s Public Works Department. He said the mobilization of equipment and materials will begin this week and the work is expected to start the following week.

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic
Strategic Affairs Manager Ogden Clark was among the county staff members present at the public information meeting.

“We realize this project is going to affect businesses, rental companies, residents and visitors, but there’s a definite benefit to the project that will improve the county sewer system that’s out here today,” Clark said.

Funded by utility rate revenues and debt service, the $8.1 million project has an estimated September 2024 completion date. Clark said the two-year project was going to require peak season work no matter when it started and the materials and the contractor are available now.

Woodruff & Sons employee Chad Wakeman said, “We’re trying to minimize the impacts on Gulf Drive. We’ll do the main line first, which will not really affect Gulf Drive. When we come across Gulf Drive (into the side streets), we’ll do the bypass into the Cortez Beach parking lot so we’ll have two lanes of traffic going at all times.”

Woodruff and Sons will not be working nights and weekends and the multi-use trail on the west side of Gulf Drive South and the bike lane along the east side of the road will remain open.

More details

Woodruff & Sons’ Matt Anderson said the first phase of work will occur along Gulf Drive, from Sixth Street South to 10th Street South. Those four blocks of the Cortez Beach parking lot will be closed and remain closed for approximately four months. As the project progresses south, the parking lot closures will shift accordingly and the parking areas where the work has been completed will reopen. Anderson said approximately 100 Cortez Beach parking spaces will be closed at any given time.

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic
This graphic illustrates the work that will take place on the residential side streets. – Manatee County | Submitted

He said 12th Street South will be the first side street to be closed to vehicular traffic and he expects that to happen in July.

“For 4 to 6 weeks, you’re not going to have vehicular access to those properties,” Anderson said of the side street closures that will force residents, visitors and rental guests to park in designated parking areas across the street at Cortez Beach while the work takes place.

Clark said the county hopes to provide at least a month’s notice before a side street is closed to vehicular traffic.

Anderson said inaccurate utility line surveys often present unforeseen challenges.

“Everything’s subject to change. We could blow through this and have nothing go wrong or we could get out here and have all kinds of problems. We’re going to hit a water line. We’re going to take out a phone line. I guarantee it,” he said.

One attendee noted the city recently undergrounded the utility lines along Gulf Drive South and several of the same side streets to be impacted by the sewer project.

“They have to mark it and we have to work around it, “Anderson said.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said he appreciates the county’s outreach efforts that will also include reaching out to impacted residents, vacation rental owners and property management companies.

“Everybody needs to know what’s going on and prepare for it. It’s not going to be fun; it’s not going to be pretty; but infrastructure needs to be replaced. This stuff’s more than 50 years old,” Chappie said.

Clark advises residents, property owners, business owners and visitors to frequently check the project website and to also sign up for email updates.

“We’ll do our best to keep you informed,” Clark said.

Sewer project in Bradenton Beach will impact residents, visitors and traffic
The project map was displayed at the information meeting and is posted at the project website. – Manatee County | Submitted
Vacation rental trash cans concern city officials

City officials concerned about trash cans on street

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie continues to lament the constant presence of trash containers left alongside city streets.

Chappie and the city team, which includes City Attorney Ricinda Perry, Building Official Steve Gilbert and Public Works Director Tom Woodard, have previously discussed the problem and Chappie requested a trash can discussion during the city commission’s Aug. 30 work meeting.

The city’s transient public lodging establishment (TPLE) ordinance requires vacation rental properties to use sideyard trash pickup, a service requiring Waste Pro employees to retrieve the trash and recycling containers from the side of the rental home and return them to the same location after emptying them. Instead, full trash containers are often placed roadside after being emptied.

Chappie mentioned vacation rental property managers, cleaning crews and rental guests as primary contributors to the lingering trash container problem Waste Pro hasn’t been able to solve.

“What do we do with the garbage cans that are out by the road at all times? Do we ‘suck it up, buttercup?’ Do we change the way it is with sideyard pickup, have no sideyard pickup, require everyone to have sideyard pickup?” he asked.

Vacation rental trash cans concern city officials
Mayor John Chappie is exasperated by the constant sight of trash containers sitting street-side. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chappie said Waste Pro doesn’t want their employees going behind fences to retrieve trash containers because they don’t know what they might encounter there. He questioned whether the containers should be placed instead on screened-in pads located elsewhere on the property.

Commissioner Jake Spooner said he doesn’t want to eliminate the sideyard pickup requirement and vacation rental guests need to stop placing trash cans by the street when they check out. Chappie said many vacation rentals permanently leave their trash cans near the street.

Gilbert said trash cans designated for sideyard pickup are marked with decals containing the Waste Pro initials. A trash can bearing that decal is supposed to be returned to its sideyard location.

Vacation rental trash cans concern city officials
WP stickers indicate whether the trash and recycling containers are designated for sideyard service. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Perry said Waste Pro would consider switching to sideyard pickup for everyone, including permanent residents, to eliminate the need for their employees to figure out which properties require sideyard pickup.

Spooner said the WP stickers already identify which cans are supposed to be returned to their sideyard locations. He also noted Waste Pro customers pay an additional fee for sideyard service.

Perry said there are occasions when Waste Pro employees return the containers to their sideyard locations and the containers are then brought back out to the street by the vacation rental cleaning crews.

Vacation rental trash cans concern city officials
Waste Pro employees are supposed return trash containers marked with WP decals to their sideyard locations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Perry said Waste Pro employees are also leery of hauling trash cans through a driveway filled with parked vehicles out of fear of scraping or damaging them. She said Waste Pro recommends screened-in designated locations near the street. Spooner said he doesn’t want to look down the street and see an endless line of lattice-screened trash can pads.

Woodard noted the city’s sanitation ordinance specifies the timeframe during which trash containers can be left by the street.

“Containers shall be out for collection by 6 a.m. of the scheduled pick-up day and shall be removed from the collection site by 8 p.m. on the day of collection. Failure to comply within 24 hours shall be a violation of this code,” the ordinance says.

“It’s not enforced,” Woodard said.

He said the problems will continue until the city commission clearly states what it wants done.

“Someone has to be in charge, and that’s you all,” he told the commission.

“How can we enforce this?” Chappie asked.

Perry said the city’s code enforcement provisions address “irrevocable and irreversible harm” in a manner that allows a code enforcement officer to immediately issue a citation.

“To me, that is the only way we can get there,” she added.

She also noted the property owner’s TPLE license can be revoked for repeat violations of city code.

Perry said the property management companies need to be informed in a more formal and serious manner of the city’s concerns and the potential enforcement ramifications.

Chappie said he wants the city’s code enforcement officer to start issuing citations and fines to violators.

Spooner asked if the code enforcement officer is out after 8 p.m. patrolling for trash can retrieval violations. Gilbert, who supervises the city’s only code enforcement officer, said the city would need one full-time officer just to enforce the sanitation ordinance. Gilbert said that sideyard collection is a great idea, but it doesn’t work.

During public comment, it was noted that the city of Anna Maria budgeted $415,000 in occupancy-based vacation rental registration fee revenues to be used in the coming fiscal year for the enforcement of its vacation rental ordinance.

Gilbert said the city of Bradenton Beach budgets approximately $120,000 for code enforcement as a whole. City Treasurer Shayne Thompson said the city receives approximately $70,000 to $80,000 in annual vacation rental registration fees.

The discussion ended with Chappie saying he would meet again with the city team to discuss the commission feedback received. He’s also going to try to schedule a meeting with the Island’s larger vacation rental property management companies and “read them the riot act” regarding their trash-related responsibilities.

“We’re going to start handing out citations. We’ll just lower the hammer as best we can and let them know this is irrevocable and irreversible harm,” Chappie said.

Duncan Real Estate stronger than ever after 20 years

Duncan Real Estate stronger than ever after 20 years

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Real estate | Development.

ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan celebrated her company’s 20th anniversary last week.

In addition to being her birthday, Tuesday, July 13, marked 20 years since the energetic redhead purchased her office building at 310 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.

“I incorporated in the spring, but I bought the building on my birthday: July 13, 2001. I use today as my actual date. It makes you feel official when you own the dirt,” Duncan said when interviewed at her office on her birthday.

“When I bought this building, nobody wanted to touch Pine Avenue. I knew someday this street would blossom and I knew I could not open a business without owning the dirt. I got my mortgage at a spring training game, shaking hands with the mortgage holder. I bought the building on a handshake,” she said.

Duncan Real Estate stronger than ever after 20 years
Knowing the importance of “owning the dirt,” Darcie Duncan bought her office building on Pine Avenue 20 years ago. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

At the time, Duncan already had 11 years of experience as a real estate broker.

“The industry was at a pivotal point and changing with technology and the Internet. I felt I needed to go out on my own because I was ready to change with it. I’ve sold real estate on the Island for 31 years now,” she said.

Duncan Real Estate has 20 employees, but it started as a solo act.

“I was all by myself, then I had one person come in and help and I grew from there. I had the front office and that was it.”

Duncan has learned a lot in 20 years.

“Learning to surround myself with the right people really helped my career. I had to learn about leadership and how to embrace that. I learned to treat people how I would want to be treated. You have to be a good listener and be available for your team. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. My team is awesome and I love them. I have good managers that help me manage. We work together and we collaborate. The culture of my company is teamwork,” Duncan said.

“My customers make me better too. My company is built on those relationships. I’m doing generational business and that’s something you can’t put a price tag on. I’ve also had a wonderful support system of friends and colleagues and mentors throughout my life.”

Duncan has also learned the importance of getting away from work: “I love to go fishing. That’s my passion. I love to get together with friends and get out on my boat. That’s my happy place. I’m starting to travel more by RV and seeing more of the country.”

Changing markets

Duncan has watched the Anna Maria Island real estate market evolve.

“Back when I started, the houses were not as upscale. The demands of the buyer 20 years ago are totally different than today. Back then, a 3,000-square-foot house was incredible. Today, that’s the average size for new construction. Twenty years ago, they were just ground-level block houses. Over the years we’ve seen that change because of FEMA and other factors.

“Things were simpler and more basic back then. Now it’s all the bells and whistles – the pool, high-end kitchens, home offices and yoga and wellness spaces. You just didn’t have that 20 years ago,” Duncan said.

Yet, today’s homebuyers still have a lot in common with buyers from the past.

“The buyer here on the Island still comes here for the laid-back lifestyle – and that hasn’t changed all that much, even though the price has gone up. They still want to go fishing, go to the beach, catch a sunset and visit our local establishments.”

The vacation rental industry has also changed.

“In 2001, the Island wasn’t as developed and vacation rentals weren’t weekly rentals. They were monthly rentals and snowbirds. In the summer, it was our in-state people coming to their summer homes. The vacation rental industry was nothing like it is today, and we didn’t have half as many homes to rent,” Duncan said.

Duncan Real Estate stronger than ever after 20 years
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan has evolved with the Island’s changing real estate and vacation rental markets. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding the current market, Duncan said, “It’s the best it’s ever been. As far as sales, we’re on track for a record-breaking year. With rentals, we’re seeing it slow a little as normal for August through October, but it’s still busier than past years and our winter bookings are looking strong.” When asked about her success, Duncan said, “There is no secret. It’s hard work. You get up every day and you do the best you can. When something knocks you down, you get up and find a different way to deal with it. I never thought I would be sitting here today saying my company is 20 years old. I’m really proud, and I’m proud of my team.

“Honesty and integrity are big for me. You can’t write a check for that. That’s how I live, that’s how I conduct my business and that’s the culture we’ve built with this company. I also believe in my community. I live in the community I work in. I give back to my community and my community’s given back to me. I was raised on this Island and this Island’s special and important to me.”

Looking ahead, Duncan said, “I could see myself being in the business 20 years from now. To say I had 50 years under my belt would be spectacular – and learning that life/work balance will help me obtain that.”

Permit parking approved in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners voted three-to-two to pass an ordinance enacting permit parking in some residential neighborhoods west of the city’s main roadway corridor.

The discussion featured one large change from the previous discussion – the cost of the permits for on-street parking will be paid by the residents.

Commissioners Pat Morton, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek all voted in favor of the second and final reading of the ordinance, instituting a price of $15 for each permit.

Commissioners Jim Kihm and Kim Rash voted against the ordinance, both arguing that the cost of the permits should not be paid entirely, if at all, by the residents. Rash offered a compromise of giving one permit to each residential household with subsequent permits charged at the $15 rate. Kihm said he’d like the funding to come from somewhere other than an additional charge to residents, suggesting that if his fellow commissioners weren’t in favor of taking the money from funds produced from parking fines as previously discussed that the costs be paid for out of ad valorem tax proceeds.

Though commissioners had previously discussed increasing the city’s parking violation fine from $50 to $75 and using the proceeds to pay for the permit parking passes, Mayor Judy Titsworth said after further reflection she didn’t think it was a good idea. Titsworth said that using the monies derived from issuing parking fines implies that Holmes Beach police officers have a quota of parking fines that they need to write to pay for the program.

She also said she doesn’t think the permits should be free to residents because it will cause an influx of permit parking applications that would cause a strain on city staff to process and issue quickly. By charging, she said it allows current staff to be able to handle the applications and she said it’s an added benefit for residents.

While Morton, Schaefer and Soustek all agreed with the mayor’s reasoning, Kihm said he didn’t like charging residents for something that they could previously do for free – park on the street.

How permit parking works

The permits will be available to all Holmes Beach residents and property owners.

Residents living outside the permit parking zone can still park on the street in front of their homes, but will be able to get up to two passes at $15 each to use for street-side beach parking.

Owners of vacation rentals within the permit zone will be able to secure two permits at the $15 rate, but only for their vehicles. Renters will not be able to use the permits.

Residents living inside the permit parking zone who wish to park on the street will be required to have a permit, but the $15 permits are only available for vehicles registered to Holmes Beach addresses. Roommates or visiting children, parents or friends with vehicles registered outside the city will not be eligible for a permit. Those vehicles will have to be parked in designated parking areas on the property, though vehicles with permits can be moved to the street to allow for more parking on the property.

Permit parking approved in Holmes Beach
A new map shows where open parking will be available to residents and beachgoers, marked in yellow, and where resident permit-only parking is planned to be located, marked in blue. – Submitted | City of Holmes Beach

Permits will be required for any vehicle parked on the street in the permit-only zone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including low speed vehicles and golf carts that are registered with the state. A regular golf cart, one that doesn’t require registration with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, can be parked in the permit zone and does not require a permit.

The permits are expected to be renewable annually.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said with the ordinance approved, he would move to order the new signs for the permit-only zone, located west of the city’s main thoroughfare of Gulf/Marina/Palm/East Bay drives, and get the permit parking program up and running as soon as possible.

Most street parking on the east side of the main thoroughfare remains open, though that could change if public parking becomes a problem in those neighborhoods.

Soustek said she’d like residents to keep in mind that the approved ordinance is still a work in progress and that adjustments to the program and permit-only parking areas may be changed in the future as needed.

COVID-19 heavily impacting tourism

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

The coronavirus pandemic has sickened the local tourism industry, but local officials plan to ask the state for a shot in the arm by moderating some vacation rental restrictions, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) learned on Monday.

April visitation to the county was down 82.3%, occupancy was down 83.4% and the average daily rate was down 26.4% from the previous April, said Anne Wittine, of Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant.

However, she said, “It is a testament to the strength of Manatee’s tourism industry… that year to date we are only down 12.1% in visitation and 11.7% in economic impact.”

A new traveler sentiment survey indicates that optimism about traveling has been down due to concerns about health, she said.

The first week of June, 34% of those surveyed said they thought the state was reopening from COVID-19 shutdowns too quickly; the second week of June, as coronavirus cases spiked, that sentiment increased to 42%.

People surveyed are feeling less safe from the first to the second week of June about dining in a restaurant, shopping, participating in outdoor recreation, going to indoor attractions, visiting friends and relatives, going to the beach, going to theme parks and visiting a new destination, she told the TDC.

Among the biggest concerns about traveling during COVID-19 were not being able to return home, being quarantined away from home and flight cancellations.

A survey question, “Is this a destination you would be interested in visiting?” resulted in a loss of confidence from 28.9% the last week in May to 22.7% the second week of June.

However, Wittine said there is reason for optimism that sentiments are turning around.

“We asked people what one word is that would describe their feelings about tourism,” she said. The first week of June, people were saying, “Absolutely no,” but by the second week, the majority sentiment had changed to “cautious,” she said.

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Elliott Falcione said that many visitors to the area are making 12- to 14-hour drives to come here with their family, a slight difference in the county’s typical visitor profile of older couples.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore commented that the survey shows the hesitancy of visitors to come to the county, probably due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

“It’s telling me that people aren’t ready yet, but I think we need to stay in their faces,” she said.

CVB to request change in COVID guidelines

On Tuesday, June 16, the CVB was scheduled to ask the Manatee County Commission to amend county vacation rental guidelines on COVID-19 to allow visitors from certain states that are currently prohibited, Falcione said.

“It will give our vacation rentals a lot of flexibility,” he said.

Under current guidelines, visitors from states that have 700 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people are restricted, he said.

If the commission approves the amendment, the county administrator could ask the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation to eliminate that restriction and instead limit the restricted areas to those identified by the governor as high risk (currently New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Louisiana).

Reservations would be required to be longer than the quarantine period established by the state and groups of visitors would still be limited to no more than 10 people, or fewer depending on municipal occupancy limits, according to the recommendation.

The next TDC meeting is scheduled on Monday, Aug. 17 at 9 a.m., tentatively at Holmes Beach City Hall.

In other business:

  • John Horne, of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, reported that some local restaurants have not yet opened for various reasons, including concerns about being profitable at 50% capacity. He thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for allowing expanded outdoor dining, municipalities for relaxing their criteria on signage to allow restaurants to advertise that they’re open, and the CVB for lobbying to get short-term vacation rentals open.
  • Mark Stuckey, of the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, reported that traffic has increased from 10,000 to 40,000 passengers since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, but traffic is down 21% year to date. Airlines are requiring passengers to wear masks at all times and the airport has installed Plexiglas windows and increased sanitization measures to protect passengers, he said.
  • CVB website manager Emily Knight reported that the CVB stopped advertising for tourism on its website on March 16 due to European borders closing, causing website traffic to drop; traffic rebounded when beaches were reopened in May. A COVID-19 page was added to advise prospective visitors about updates and a “Bring Bradenton Home” page was added to let people virtually experience the destination. In April, a message was launched that “The Bradenton Area Misses You Too.”
  • Sean Walter, of the CVB’s sports marketing program, reported 40 canceled events due to COVID-19, a loss of $35 million. However, 20 tentative events have been scheduled at Premiere Sports Campus from 2020-2022. Visitation outreach will focus on drive markets due to visitors’ concerns about flying, he said.
  • Michele Schulz, of the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office, reported that her office has posted a message on its website in conjunction with the CVB that “Tourism is back!” The office sent emails to more than 5,000 people and letters to nearly 2,500 to refer them to the website, since many were not visiting it due to not having to pay tourist taxes while vacation rentals were closed.
Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island’s short-term vacation rentals were allowed to reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend, with some restrictions.

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) approved the Manatee County short-term vacation rental reopening plan submitted by County Administrator Cheri Coryea. The state approval took effect immediately.

While local municipalities can still ban vacation rentals, all three Anna Maria Island cities are allowing rentals to reopen.

“Vacation rental check-ins are now allowed in Anna Maria,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said Thursday afternoon after reading the approved plan.

Murphy then issued a local emergency order rescinding a previously issued order that prohibited new vacation rental reservations in that city.

The city of Holmes Beach recently allowed its local emergency orders banning short-term vacation rentals to lapse.

“I do not plan on a Holmes Beach directive extending the rental ban at this time,” Mayor Judy Titsworth said Thursday afternoon.

The city of Bradenton Beach never issued any COVID-19-related local emergency orders that further restricted vacation rental activity beyond the prohibitions set forth in DeSantis’ executive orders.

“Under the plan, vacation rental agencies may now accept bookings from residents of U.S. states with an overall COVID-19 case rate within the state of less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents as of May 15. Reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the governor are to be avoided for the next 30-45 days. Reservations from international travelers will not be accepted,” according to the press release Manatee County issued Thursday afternoon. “Other guidelines spell out protocols vacation rental owners must follow to implement social distancing and still others that address the cleanliness standards of the property.”

The press release noted the short-term rental guidelines would be mostly self-policed and enforcement would be complaint-driven.

“We’re asking that vacation rental managers take extra precautions to make sure their renters have access to and follow the guidelines in the approved plan. Owners should ensure that their renters are aware and abide by the approved plan, but also any municipal restrictions in the city where the rental is located,” Coryea said in the press release.

When discussing the plan on Tuesday, May 19, county commissioners initially proposed a 24-hour turnaround time for cleaning and sanitizing vacation rentals between guest departures and new guest arrivals.

During public comment, several vacation rental owners said a minimum 24-hour turnaround time would prohibit back-to-back seven-day rentals and result in numerous cancellations.

The commission then decided to simply require “ample time” for cleaning and sanitizing and the approved five-page plan includes an entire page of cleaning and sanitation guidelines.

“Extra time must be allowed for enhanced cleaning procedures to take place between stays based upon the use of appropriate cleaning and sanitation according to CDC procedures and in accordance with this plan,” the plan says.

Local reaction

On Friday, Sato Real Estate co-owner Barbara Sato said via email, “We are very relieved that vacation rentals are open. It has been so frustrating answering the numerous daily phone calls asking when the governor will open rentals again – and why hotels, motels, and resorts are open and not being able to give them a reasonable answer. Needless to say, the word is out and our phone has been ringing non-stop. We think the approved plan is very good. I personally emailed Elliott Falcione, from the Visitors Bureau, and County Administrator Cheri Coryea to thank them for their teams’ hard work in getting it approved so quickly.”

Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend
The phones were ringing off the hook at Sato Real Estate on Friday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When contacted Friday via email, Murphy said, “It is too soon to tell the impact this policy might have on the city, but we are grateful that the county has incorporated a bi-weekly review process to make adjustments to the plan. Our two areas of concern are:

  • Enforcement: Some of the requirements would appear to require an extensive enforcement effort. If these turn out to be an issue, we are not equipped to enforce some aspects of the order.
  • Remote check-in: Although seemingly in everyone’s best health interests, this policy presents serious issues of potential fraud and possibly criminal activity. The policy needs to be revisited,” Murphy wrote.

“We look forward to partnering with the county to improve the plan going forward,” he added.

Short-term vacation rentals reopen for holiday weekend
The folks at Duncan Real Estate are happy to be back in the short-term vacation rental business again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

On Saturday afternoon, Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said via text message, “We opened Friday morning to the sound of phones ringing off the hook with guests ready to book for the summer. We have all our compliance requirements in place and we were ready for guest check-ins Saturday morning. We are thrilled and looking forward to increased bookings due to pent-up demand.”

Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

TDC recommends opening vacation rentals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) took the first step on Monday to reopen vacation rentals countywide, including on Anna Maria Island.

TDC Chair and Manatee County Commissioner Misty Servia persuaded fellow TDC members to recommend that Manatee County commissioners remove the COVID-19 prohibition on short-term vacation rentals.

Under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan effective Monday, county commissioners can submit a plan to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for approval to allow short-term vacation rental properties to reopen to guests. The plan would likely require working with owners and managers of vacation rentals to come up with strategies to meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requirements for disinfecting and cleaning of units between guests.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), said that he’s been working with other west coast Florida county leaders to help develop a plan for vacation rentals that would provide some consistency for owners and visitors.

Servia added that coordination with the leaders of the three Anna Maria Island cities, where many of the county’s short-term rentals are located, would be a key component to success. Falcione said that no matter what plan is enacted, it will be up to the city leaders to oversee the operation of the vacation rental properties.

Local vacation rental owners who spoke during public comment said they are ready to reopen their units to visitors and are willing to abide by any necessary regulations to keep their properties safe for renters.

The recommendation passed in a unanimous vote. Members Ed Chiles, an Island restaurateur, and Wayne Poston, mayor of Bradenton, were absent from the meeting.

Marketing during COVID-19

The new short-term marketing recovery plan, debuted by Falcione and Dave DiMaggio, has two implementation phases. Phase one involves bringing visitors in from drivable markets, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties and Atlanta with plans to expand the advertising area up as far north as Memphis and Nashville and as far west as New Orleans.

Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the worst three counties in the state for COVID-19, with nearly 27,000 cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Manatee County has 867 cases as of Monday.

DiMaggio said that when deciding which markets to spend advertising dollars in, the overall health of the area and whether it’s a COVID-19 hotspot will be considered first along with how economically stable the target markets are.

The second phase involves bringing airline passengers back to the area. DiMaggio said that the success of phase two involves coordinating and sharing data with local airports, including Tampa International Airport and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. For some of this data, he said he would be looking closely at the information provided by Anne Wittine of Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant, to see how comfortable people feel about travel and flying to their vacation destinations.

Wittine presented the results of a travel sentiment pulse poll which showed numbers trending upward over the past two weeks toward people being more comfortable with travel and ready to take a vacation. While 52% of the people polled are concerned about reopening the state too quickly, Wittine said that 15.9% of people say that travel is essential to them and they’re ready to get back out there. Of the people who participated in the poll, Wittine said she’s seeing a trend toward people’s intent to travel increasing in the late summer months, specifically July. She added that of the people willing to travel, 78.2% of them feel most comfortable traveling by car, which lines up with the first phase of the TDC’s new marketing plan.

DiMaggio said the second phase includes continuing to target drivers and targeting fliers from the Midwest and northeast of the United States.

He said he expects that some segments of the market will be slower to recover, including people who travel for sporting events, work conferences and travelers from the United Kingdom and Central Europe.

Falcione said that he would be utilizing a month-to-month budget approach, periodically re-evaluating how and where the CVB’s limited advertising budget is spent to determine where those funds will have the most impact to help get the local tourism economy back up and running.

The TDC next meets June 15 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.

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DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured, Manatee County.

JACKSONVILLE – Florida restaurants can increase their indoor seating capacity from 25% to 50% beginning Monday.

Retail operations can increase their capacity from 25% to 50% and gyms and fitness centers can reopen Monday at 50% capacity.

Bars, movie theaters and vacation rental operations remain prohibited statewide, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is now allowing individual counties to submit vacation rental reopening plans.

DeSantis announced these additional phase one reopening steps during his Friday afternoon press conference in Jacksonville. He said Florida is now headed into a full-fledged phase one reopening as a continuation of the initial phase one reopening strategies that started on May 4.

DeSantis set forth these additional measures in Executive Order 20-123. The order notes restaurants are no longer required to maintain a 6-foot distance between tables when expanding to 50% capacity.

“Bar counters are to remain closed to seating, and outdoor seating remains available with social distancing,” the order says.

Vacation rentals

During Friday’s press conference, DeSantis did not mention short-term vacation rentals until a member of the media asked about them. In response, DeSantis said he was not reopening short-term vacation rentals statewide, but individual counties can request short-term vacation rental openings. 

According to EO 20-123, “Counties may seek approval to operate vacation rentals with a written request from the county administrator and the county’s safety plan for vacation rental operations submitted to the DBPR (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation) secretary.”

A pending lawsuit against DeSantis seeks to lift the vacation rental ban entirely.

On Saturday, Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea addressed the governor’s announcement in an email she sent to county commissioners, Anna Maria Island mayors and others.

“I am sure you have been receiving emails and telephone calls asking you to reopen vacation rentals in Manatee County based on the governor’s county-by-county directive on Friday afternoon. Tourism remains the top industry in Manatee County and vacation rentals are a critical part of the tourism industry network that runs so successfully in our county and your city,” Coryea wrote in her email.

“The governor’s directive gives local governments the ability to present a safety plan for vacation rental opening rules to the state for consideration. Local standards are to be guidelines which are both acceptable to the local community and that align with the governor’s ‘Safe. Smart. Step-By-Step Plan for Reopening Florida.’ The governor’s Reopen Florida Plan is a set of benchmarks and guidelines under which we have already followed to craft our own return to work plan for county operations,” Coryea wrote.

DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals
Vacation rental reopenings can now be addressed on a county-by-county basis. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“In the coming days we will apply the same Safe. Smart. Step-By-Step guidelines for the board to consider that allow vacation rentals to reopen safely for visitors, vacation rental owners and hospitality staff. Your observations and experience in your city are important in this endeavor and will be considered as a part of the plan. As with all our reopening strategies to the County Commission, public health and safety will be at the forefront of the deliberations to address the vacation rental sector in Manatee County,” Coryea wrote in conclusion.

Coryea also distributed copies of a DBPR document containing additional information and safety measures for vacation rentals pursuant to EO 20-123, effective May 18 for counties that decide to allow vacation rentals.

The DBPR document says, “Effective May 18, the following measures are recommended as minimum standards for vacation rentals that are accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay:

  • “Maintain adequate time between the conclusion of a guest stay and the check-in of the next guest stay for appropriate cleaning and sanitation;
  • Clean and disinfect all frequently-touched surfaces in the property between each guest stay;
  • Wash all linens, dishware, and other service items available for use by guests between each guest rental;
  • Provide sufficient soap and surface sanitation supplies for guests to utilize in the vacation rental property during the guest’s rental period;
  • Ensure adequate safety protocols are in place and publicly displayed, in line with CDC guidance, regarding shared or multi-residence amenities such as pools, gyms, and other communal spaces.”

Effective May 18, DBPR also recommends the following best practices for vacation rentals that are accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay:

  • “Use mobile platforms for customer service and communication with guests, including the acceptance of payments by mobile or electronic methods;
  • Minimize direct guest contact with property owners or managers through remote check-in and check-out procedures;
  • Post signage or other notices regarding the cleaning practices that are completed prior to each guest stay;
  • Display signage or notices to guests in the rental property to frequently remind guests to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the wiping and sanitation of touched surfaces.”

The county commission will meet on Tuesday, May 19 and the meeting agenda includes discussion of ongoing issues relative to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency.

Bar protest planned

Bar owners and members of the Association of Independent Bar Owners of Manatee met with an attorney Saturday who volunteered to draft a letter to send to DeSantis and state legislators requesting that Florida’s bars and nightclubs be allowed to reopen.

DeSantis expands reopening plans, opens door for vacation rentals
Anna Maria Island’s stand-alone bars remain closed as the governor’s reopening plan expands. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Via executive order that took effect on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), DeSantis closed all Florida bars and nightclubs that generate more than 50% of their revenue from alcohol sales.

In conjunction with the attorney’s letter, an organized protest is scheduled to take place Tuesday afternoon and begin between 3:30 and 4 p.m. at the Wade Thompson law office at 1720 Manatee Ave W. in Bradenton.

Organizers encourage protest participants to wear masks and gloves and practice social distancing to display the industry’s willingness to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines.  Several Anna Maria Island bar owners and bartenders have indicated they plan to participate in Tuesday’s protest.

A petition to reopen Florida’s bars and nightclubs has also been initiated at www.MoveOn.org.

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Real estate | Development.

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owner Carolyn Hodgson is among those who are upset that vacation rental operations are still prohibited in Florida because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ phase one plans to reopen Florida’s economy took effect Monday according to Executive Order 20-112. Regarding vacation rentals, that order says, “The prohibition on vacation rentals in Executive Order 20-87 remains in effect for the duration of the new order.”

That order, issued on March 27 by DeSantis, states “I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.”

“It is devastating me personally and financially not being able to safely rent my home and cover my expenses to do so.” – Carolyn Hodgson, vacation rental owner

DeSantis’ original order excludes hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, timeshares and long-term rentals of 30 days or more.

Two days earlier, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy had enacted a local emergency order prohibiting vacation rental companies from accepting new reservations through June 30.

During an emergency city commission meeting on Friday, May 1, the commission took no additional action regarding any existing or additional local vacation rental orders. When asked if his local rental reservations order remained in effect, Murphy said the governor’s reopening plan order overrules it.

Hodgson’s plea

Hodgson is the president and CEO of the Minnesota-based Freight Dynamic shipping company. She emailed Murphy Friday evening and copied DeSantis, Manatee County Commissioner Steve Jonsson and all five Anna Maria commissioners on her “Urgent critical message regarding short-term rental in Florida.”

Hodgson’s email notes she invested in two vacation rental homes in Anna Maria. One is on South Bay Boulevard and the other is on Elm Avenue.

“The only way I can afford them is to rent them out short-term,” she wrote.

Hodgson’s email notes she follows the city’s vacation rental guidelines, pays state and local taxes, pays annual licensing fees and pays “many thousands of dollars” in property taxes.

“My monthly mortgage and escrow is nearly $20,000. I have invested over $3 million in property in Anna Maria. It is devastating me personally and financially not being able to safely rent my home and cover my expenses to do so,” Hodgson wrote

Her email notes short-term rentals generate substantial revenues for local restaurants, retail shops, fishing charters and many other businesses.

“This statewide order from the governor cannot be modified and/or made less stringent by either the Anna Maria Commission or myself for the period of time that it may be in force.” – Dan Murphy, Anna Maria mayor

It also says, “You are putting the owners into grave financial recessions. I am asking you from the bottom of my heart, stop prohibiting short-term rental in Anna Maria. You will end up with foreclosures, abandoned homes, angry renters who will never come back and angry homeowners who invested in your town to be individually vilified.”

“Losing March, April and May will result in devastating losses. Adding June or July is toxic and extremely unfair. People will petition, they will protest and rally against the commissioners and governor and it will not bring you the kind of publicity you want or need. The vacation rental management companies will file a lawsuit against the city and state government. Their businesses are being destroyed by this prejudice and extreme unfairness and unwillingness to hear us out and let us make short-term renting safe and available. At least give us a chance to show you. If not, be prepared to reimburse us for our staggering losses and watch the city fall apart from it,” Hodgson wrote in conclusion.

Mayor’s response

On Saturday, Murphy responded to Hodgson and copied those who received her email.

“The city of Anna Maria is currently under the Governor of Florida’s Order 20-112. This statewide order from the governor cannot be modified and/or made less stringent by either the Anna Maria Commission or myself for the period of time that it may be in force. Nor would the city commission or myself choose to lessen its impact,” Murphy wrote.

“We appreciate the courage our Governor has shown in issuing this order, as it is designed to protect human life, limit the spread of COVID-19 virus and is in the best interests and safety of our residents, your clients, our visitors and the general public,” Murphy wrote.

“In view of hurricanes, red tide and possible economic downturns, vacation rental investments have always been considered high risk/high reward. While I certainly can sympathize with the negative impact this pandemic has had upon your personal business ventures in our city, the governor’s actions are designed to protect human life. I am certain you would agree that human life is more important than your next monthly mortgage and escrow payment on your vacation rental investment properties,” Murphy wrote.

In his response, Murphy said threats of lawsuits, protests, rallies and reimbursement should not prevent any elected official from protecting human life and acting in the best interests of public safety.

“These are indeed difficult times and require courage along with difficult decisions,” Murphy wrote.

Governor extends vacation rental order

Governor extends vacation rental order

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended a previously issued executive order that prohibits short-term vacation rental operations statewide.

On Friday, DeSantis issued and signed Executive Order (EO) 20-103.

“I hereby extend Executive Order 20-87 until April 30, unless extended by subsequent order,” EO 20-103 says.

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DeSantis originally set forth his temporary vacation rental prohibitions and restrictions in EO 20-87 – an order issued on Friday, March 27 and enacted on Saturday, March 28.

“I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order,” EO 20-87 said.

The governor’s directive did not apply to hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, timeshares or long-term rentals of more than 30 days.

“DBPR shall revoke the vacation rental license of any party that violates this order or otherwise advertises vacation rental opportunities during the duration of this order; and DBPR shall alert the state authorities to evidence of violations or attempts to violate this order,” EO 20-87 said.

As a result of Friday’s extension order, the expiration date for DeSantis’ vacation rental prohibitions now coincides with the expiration of DeSantis’ essential services order, EO 20-91 – an order some refer to as a ‘stay-at-home’ order.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, EO 20-103 was not yet posted at the governor’s website and the governor’s website made no mention of EO 20-87 being extended. The most recent executive order posted at the governor’s website was EO 20-102 on Thursday, April 9.

Local concerns

DeSantis’ delay in extending his vacation rental order caused trepidation for local officials who felt the need to discuss and/or enact local vacation rental-related emergency orders of their own.

On Thursday, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth issued Emergency Directive 20-5, a directive pertaining to “prohibitions on residential rental properties.”

At Thursday evening’s Anna Maria City Commission meeting, it was noted DeSantis had not yet extended EO 20-87. This prompted discussion as to what, if anything, the city might need to do if DeSantis did not extend his order.

On Tuesday, March 24, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy issued an emergency order that temporarily prohibits new reservations for vacation rental stays of less than 30 days in Anna Maria.

“There shall be no new reservations for an arrival date of March 26 through June 30 of less than 30 days. Reservations with an arrival date on or subsequent to July 1 are excluded from this order,” Murphy’s order said.

Murphy issued his local order three days before DeSantis issued his statewide order.

During Thursday’s commission meeting, Murphy said the rationale behind his local order was to reduce the churn of people coming in and out of Anna Maria on a weekly basis, as part of the city’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

During Friday afternoon’s emergency Manatee County Commission meeting, county commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of sending DeSantis a letter requesting that he extend his vacation rental order until April 30.

When presenting the request, County Administrator Cheri Coryea said DeSantis had not yet extended his vacation rental order. It was noted the letter was requested and suggested by the Island city mayors and other city officials during Wednesday’s emergency operations policy group meeting.

Lack of notice

When contacted Saturday afternoon, Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said she had not been informed that DeSantis extended his vacation rental order.

“We have not been informed of the governor’s extension, and I just checked. We have had nothing,” Duncan said.

Duncan was asked if she was notified when DeSantis issued his original vacation rental order on March 27.

“We didn’t get anything from the governor’s office. I found out through a news outlet,” she said.

Duncan said her company was not expecting any new short-term rental arrivals this week.

“We’re not encouraging anyone to come. We tried to deter everybody when we were on a ‘stay-at-home’ order because we knew it was the best thing to do,” Duncan said.

Duncan said she received notice from the city of Anna Maria when Murphy enacted his local emergency order in March.

Duncan said she received notice from Titsworth when she issued her emergency directive on Thursday.

Duncan said was informed in advance of Friday’s request for the county commission to send a letter to DeSantis seeking an extension of his vacation rental order.

As of Saturday, the city of Bradenton Beach had not enacted any emergency vacation rental restrictions and continued to operate according to the governor’s now-extended order.

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Anna Maria addressing rental complaints locally

 

Governor suspends vacation rentals

 

Holmes Beach logo OLD

Mayor issues executive order for vacation rentals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth wants vacation rentals in her city to remain on hold at least through April 30.

On April 7, Titsworth issued an executive order requiring all vacation rental owners and managers to stop taking new reservations and to cease check-ins until Gov. Ron DeSantis lifts the state-wide stay at home order. The governor’s order is currently set to expire on April 30.

Titsworth’s order is in response to coronavirus concerns and in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. As of April 9, Holmes Beach had one confirmed case of COVID-19, the only case so far on Anna Maria Island.

In Titsworth’s April 8 daily status of the city report related to COVID-19, she said that the city’s vacation rental management companies informed city hall staff that there are many rental check-ins scheduled for the weekend of April 10-12.

In an April 9 discussion with The Sun, Titsworth said she spoke with several rental agency representatives who are expecting check-ins this weekend and needed help to cancel the reservations. By issuing the order, she said it gives the rental agencies the ability to cancel upcoming reservations. Titsworth added that all of the vacation rental managers she’s spoken with are on board with not allowing vacation rentals through the end of the month.

DeSantis issued an order March 27 stopping new vacation rentals in Florida for 14 days. Those 14 days expire on April 10. Titsworth said that during an April 8 policy group conference call with the leaders of neighboring municipalities and Manatee County that it was decided to ask county leaders to reach out to the governor’s office to see if the order stopping vacation rentals could be extended to match the length of the stay at home order.

If the order is not extended, Titsworth has instructed city attorney Patricia Petruff to draft an emergency directive prohibiting any check-ins at vacation rentals and any advertising of residential vacation rental properties until May 1.

Police and code compliance officers are enforcing the city’s no new check-in mandate for vacation rentals.

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Anna Maria addressing vacation rental complaints locally

Anna Maria addressing vacation rental complaints locally

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Commission chair Carol Carter released a statement Monday afternoon regarding the city’s enforcement of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-87, which temporarily suspends vacation rental operations in Florida.

“And so it seems that each Florida municipality responds to violations of ordinances and the governor’s executive orders in different ways,” Carter’s statement said.

“The leadership of the city of Anna Maria has taken the lead fighting for home rule rights over the past several years, especially focused on vacation rental properties which comprise 70%-plus of the residences in our small city. We don’t just philosophize in the good times, but we act in the worst of times. Now, we need to act decisively in preserving the health and welfare of our predominately elderly residential population, in the wake of the season of massive numbers of visitors from near and far,” Carter’s April 6 statement said.

“The city of Anna Maria has fought for home rule rights and now we are acting – we believe we can best be governed locally. Just as in post-hurricane situations, residents look to local authorities for help and they get it.

With that mandate, the city of Anna Maria – not a Tallahassee agency – is actively pursuing the offending vacation rental agencies and owners who are in violation of Governor DeSantis’ executive order forbidding both rental check-ins and new contracts after March 28. The state of Florida has few resources and no current interest in monitoring vacation rental violations in the city of Anna Maria as it grapples with the larger issues of funding for hospitals, testing and business recovery,” Carter’s statement said.

“In this time of crisis, Governor DeSantis has given the city of Anna Maria the opportunity to continue to act in the interest of our residents and their health and welfare. The city of Anna Maria accepts this responsibility,” Carter said in the statement she issued as the chair of the Anna Maria City Commission.

Anna Maria residents who have a concern about a potentially improper vacation rental operation are asked to call the city’s Code Enforcement Department at 941-708-6130, ext. 141, or send an email to depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.

On Saturday, the cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach issued a shared public service announcement that explained how residents in those two cities can file a vacation rental complaint with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Governor’s order

DeSantis issued Executive Order (EO) 20-87 on March 27.

“I hereby order all parties engaged in the rental of vacation rental properties, as defined in Florida Statutes, to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order,” the executive order says.

The governor’s order includes any house, condominium or dwelling unit that is used for rentals of less than 30 days and operating as a transient public lodging establishment as defined under Florida Statutes.

The governor’s order does not include hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, timeshare projects or long-term rentals. Nor does it include rental stays for guests who were already occupying a vacation rental unit or who checked in no later than Saturday, March 28.

“The executive order shall expire in 14 days if extended by a subsequent order,” EO 20-87 says.

As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, DeSantis had not extended the vacation rental order that is currently scheduled to expire this weekend.

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