The proposed vacation rental bill in Florida, SB 280, has sparked significant concern throughout the state, particularly among vacation rental owners and advocates. Gia Arvin, Florida Realtors® president, highlighted several key issues with the bill that could harm Florida’s tourism industry.

Arvin emphasized a concerning provision within the bill, noting that it permits local governments to levy unspecified fees on property owners for processing registration applications. “They can charge property owners a reasonable fee to process registration applications, but there’s no defined limit on that fee,” Arvin explained. This lack of fee regulation raises concerns regarding the potential financial strain it may place on property owners and, consequently, on vacation rental rates.

Furthermore, the proposed bill enables local governments to suspend property owners’ registrations for what it terms “material violations” of local laws, yet fails to provide a precise definition of what constitutes such violations. This ambiguity creates uncertainty and challenges in enforcement, leaving property owners vulnerable to arbitrary or unfair suspensions.

Arvin also raised the alarm about the lengthy and resource-intensive appeals process mandated by the bill. “If they’re [homeowners] suspended, they have to appeal registration denials through the circuit court,” she said. This bureaucratic hurdle could add unnecessary complexity and strain on property owners, potentially discouraging them from entering or continuing in the vacation rental market.

The implications of SB 280 extend beyond the vacation rental sector to the broader tourism industry in Florida. Arvin emphasized that limiting vacation rentals could have a ripple effect on jobs, income, and businesses reliant on tourism, including hotels and restaurants. The bill’s potential to disrupt vacation plans, as Arvin notes, poses an additional risk to consumer confidence and satisfaction.

Arvin and others advocating against SB 280 are not only expressing their concerns but also actively engaging in advocacy efforts. They are organizing town halls and calls to action, all to urge Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the bill. They emphasize the need for a balanced approach that protects private property rights while supporting the economic vitality of Florida’s tourism industry, and they are actively working towards this goal. “This is very one sided against private property rights and homeowners,” Arvin stated, “So I think the discussion was had, unfortunately the needle just wasn’t moved enough.”

SB 280 poses significant challenges and uncertainties for the vacation rental sector and the broader tourism economy in Florida. Florida Realtors® and fellow advocates are working tirelessly to ensure that this version of the bill is vetoed and amended to address these concerns in a fair and equitable manner. As Gia Arvin, Florida Realtors® president, succinctly puts it, “If you limit vacation rentals, what happens after that?”