Palm Coast Looks to Rein In Short-Term Rentals

Palm Coast officials have a long way to go and a short time to get there if they want to regulate short-term rentals in the city.

At a City Council meeting Sept. 3, Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo presented the outlines of what was supposed to be the first reading of a short-term rental ordinance, but said councilmembers needed to weigh in on several issues.

“We need some policy here,” he said.

In the end, the City Council decided to discuss the proposed ordinance at a workshop scheduled for Sept. 24.

The policy outlined by DeLorenzo included creation of a vacation rental license program, safety and operational requirements for short-term rental owners, parking standards for guests, solid waste handling and containment along with administration, penalties and enforcement standards.

On the enforcement issues, DeLorenzo said the properties remain in compliance with the regulations with a warning issued for the first offense. “Beyond that, the code enforcement board will be used,” he said. “Of course, we will use all other remedies if we have issues.”

In addition, an initial fee of $400 to register a property as a short-term rental unit and a $200 annual renewal fee were discussed at the meeting.

Mayor David Alfin asked City Council members if they would agree to separate interviews with city staff to go over the details of the ordinance, citing the need to get the ordinance on the books before the State Legislature meets in early 2025. Alfin said he is concerned that state lawmakers will pass legislation that will supersede the city’s short-term rental ordinance.

“The overriding theme here is you want to get it done before the end of the year,” Alfin said.

Alfin asked DeLorenzo if state lawmakers could nullify any ordinance the city passes on the short-term rental issue.

“We worked directly with counsel to make sure we have a legally defensible ordinance,” DeLorenzo said. “As far as I know it is consistent with state law.”

One of the issues that generated a lot of discussion was the proposal to limit occupancy in rental properties to a maximum of 12 people.

Council member Theresa Pontieri said the occupancy limit should be 10.

“These are residential homes in neighborhoods,” she said. “I think the maximum of 10 is going to eliminate a lot of the other issues.”