COCOA BEACH, Fla. – More restrictions are now approved for short-term vacation rentals in what’s already Florida’s most expensive city to register and renew an AirBnb.
Under a new rule approved by the Cocoa Beach commission Thursday, someone at a vacation rental for more than 15 minutes will now be considered a guest.
It’s part of an effort to “prevent the use of vacation rentals as party houses.”
“We certainly get a lot of complaints about party houses,” said David Dickey of the building department.
Dickey said the parties are happening during the day, not after dark.
[WATCH to learn about the recent hike in fees for vacation rentals in Cocoa Beach]
Cocoa Beach already has an occupant limit of eight in vacation rentals, but Mayor Keith Capizzi said when there are parties, sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s actually staying there.
Like at other meetings about vacation rentals, Capizzi said he doesn’t want to punish those following the rules, but neighbors have a right to live in peace.
“I want to make sure that the residents can live in their residential homes without being burdened by people that are on vacation,” the mayor said.
[WATCH our recent coverage of vacation rentals in Cocoa Beach]
A property manager said he felt the rule was unfair.
“I have local people always asking me, ‘Hey, my mom needs a place to stay,’” Riley Goldman said. “Am I supposed to tell them you can’t visit your mom now because you’re gonna be over the resident amount?”
Chief Wes Mullins talked about how enforcing the time limit could be difficult for police.
“Are we gonna sit inside of somebody’s house for 15 minutes with a body cam on and count to 15 minutes,” the chief asked. “Are we not?”
Also in the new rules, if a child at the vacation rental is under 2 years old, they will not count as an occupant.