Supporters of vacation rentals rally at Capitol

TALLAHASSEE — About 50 supporters of a bill that would eliminate local rules on vacation rentals gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to take up the measure.

“Attacks from the hotel industry to stop us from renting our home are in my opinion a transparent attempt to crush the perceived competition from middle class homeowners,” said Lisa Robertson, a Destin homeowner who rents her home out to vacationers.

Hotel industry groups like the American Hotel and Lodging Association are opposed to relaxing regulations on short-term vacation rentals, which have ballooned in recent years thanks to online app platforms like and HomeAway.

But the industry fight is taking place in cities and counties, where reports of all-night parties and loud music in residential areas have led some to pass ordinances cracking down on vacation rentals.

Despite a 2011 state law banning new local ordinances restricting vacation rentals, Miami and Miami Beach passed their own laws to come down hard on home owners offering short-term rentals. In Miami Beach, a first time violation can result in a $20,000.

A bill filed by Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would eliminate city rules that are currently grandfathered in.

Steube’s SB 1400 would place all regulation of houses rented out through app businesses Airbnb like Airbnb in the hands of the state, and allow for annual license fees of $1,000.

“To me it’s all about private property rights,” Steube said. “I have seen all throughout the state where local governments have been infringing upon that right and telling you what you can and cannot do with your property.”

A different bill, HB 773, from Rep. Mike LaRosa, RSt. Cloud, would keep the pre-2011 ordinances but require local laws on vacation rentals to apply to all residential houses.

The House passed LaRosa’s bill last year, but a similar measure failed to get through the House.

So far this year, neither bill has come up for a vote in either chamber.