Manatee County Commission Voices to strive for regulation of short -term holiday homes
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Manatee County Commission Voices to strive for regulation of short -term holiday homes

Manatee County will consider new regulations for Short -term holiday homes Within next year and may soon require property owners who operate Air B&B rents or similar accommodation to register and meet general security codes.

Manatee County Commissioners voted 6-1 on Tuesday to target staff to investigate and prepare a regulation to control holiday homes. Manatee County cities already maintain their own holiday rental policyBut the county’s potential regulation would apply to all short -term rentals in unabashedly called.

The proposal was introduced by District 3 Commissioner Talha Siddique, who represents Anna Maria Island and most of the Coastal Manatee County. Siddique said he imagines a process that can take up to a year to complete to engage local stakeholders, short -term rental platforms and holiday rental owners.

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“What I suggest is really the least restrictive regulation in Manatee County, because I realize that we have a larger explosive radius than our cities. Each city and municipality in Manatee County has a regulation to deal with (short -term rentals), from some of the strictest In Longboat and Anna Maria Island to the city of Bradentons – passing by 2022 with a very conservative advice And honestly a really good registration system. “

“That’s what I want to establish here – a registration system that the county owns and drives so that we can license,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be expensive … but just to create a license and a registration list of all short -term holiday homes throughout the county and make it as simple as possible.”

Manatee County is looking for ways to deal with concern over holiday homes

Commissioners discussed briefly whether to consider a holiday rental policy late in a public session that almost went until midnight Tuesday.

The state prevents local authorities on various aspects of monitoring of holiday rentals, but allows them to implement registration systems and other mechanisms for enforcement within approved parameters. Last year Gov Ron Desantis Veto against a bill to would have taken even more supervisory authority from local authorities over holiday rental.

Siddique, a first time commissioner elected in November, told the board members that he has heard many concerns about holiday homes from first respondents and other authorities and tourist officials.

“I have spent a lot of time talking to our fire districts, West Manatee Fire (and rescue districts) in particular,” Siddique said. “In 2022, 100% of pediatric or childhood drowning occurred at (short -term rental). In fact, only two days ago, I learned another that happened at a short -term holiday rental in my district. One hundred percent of them, and these are completely preventive. “

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, photographed during a public meeting held January 28.Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, photographed during a public meeting held January 28.

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, photographed during a public meeting held January 28.

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Siddique estimated that the county could also lose about $ 80 million in sales tax per year due to a need for stronger enforcement.

“So we have a general security issue, we have a question where we cannot collect the revenue we have in our society, and we have had a long history of sincerely residents who only hear” manage it “,” Siddique said . “It’s just not acceptable to me when it comes to some of the cases I’ve heard.”

Great Commissioner Jason Beaarden made the vote against the proposal. He demanded better enforcement of existing codes and no more government regulation to deal with Siddique’s concern.

“We already regulate (short -term rental) at the state level, so I think I put more government regulation on STRs. I just don’t think it is necessary,” said the beard. “The state already requires that they have a license issued by the division of hotels and restaurants if an entire unit is rented out for more than three times during a calendar year during periods of fewer than 30 days.

“I think we punish 99% for 1% of people, and we only add another warehouse of government to property owners who in my opinion do not think that I am really necessary,” the Bear said.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Short -term rental: Manatee County to work out holiday rental rules