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RVCA Update

VACATION RENTALS

What You Should Know

By Mark Snead, Vice President, RVCA

everal of our residents have raised concerns regarding to register. It specifies several life safety items (smoke
short-term vacation rentals in our neighborhoods. detectors, pool fences, etc.) that must be present and
SThese properties have the potential to significantly empowers the city to inspect the property annually to ensure
impact the quality of life for their neighbors with large groups compliance. It further establishes limits on the number of
of people coming and going each week and disrupting the people allowed on the property, rules regarding parking, a
peace and quiet of our neighborhood. Unlike some requirement to adhere to noise ordinances and various
neighborhoods that are empowered through covenants penalties for violations.
attaching to their properties, the RVCA is a voluntary According to the city attorney’s office, this is about as far as
association and has no enforcement powers. We must rely on the city can go in terms of regulating vacation rentals. In fact,
City ordinances to mitigate the negative impacts of these there has been a bill introduced in Tallahassee each of the
properties. This article will identify and summarize the last several years which would strip the city of the right to
primary ordinances governing these properties and provide regulate these properties. It would grandfather our existing
you with information about how you can register a complaint ordinance as long as it is not amended. Fortunately, these
when you believe a property is in violation. bills have not passed the legislature. It will likely come up
again next session so keep your eyes out and inform your
City Ordinances
representatives of your opinion.
In December of 2016, the Fort Lauderdale city commission
passed ordinance C-16-25 which amended Article X – Noise Complaints
VACATION RENTALS, of chapter 15 of the city code of The primary complaints residents have regarding vacation
ordinances. The full text of the ordinance can be found here: rental properties are noise related. City ordinance chapter
https://www.riovistaonline.com/vacation-rentals 17-NOISE CONTROL sets out the rules and restrictions
In summary, the ordinance establishes a registration program pertaining to Noise levels. The most relevant terms are found
for any vacation rental, it defines the process by which in 17-7 Specific Restrictions:
registrations may be applied for and the penalties for failure (continued pg. 12)

10 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com