NEWS ANALYSIS

MARK SCHUMANN

Several years ago, State. Rep. Debbie Mayfield supported legislation preventing municipalities from further controlling the proliferation of short-term rentals. Now under pressure from constituents in Indian River County, Mayfield introduced a bill in the current legislative session that would have tighten registration requirements for the so-called vacation rentals operating in residential neighborhoods.

Mayfield’s HB1287 died in the House Business and Professions Subcommittee yesterday, where a majority of the members were concerned it would create extra regulations. Facing sure defeat, Mayfield pulled her bill, which was scheduled to be heard yesterday.

Vero Beach’s prohibition against short-term rentals was in force before the Florida Legislature caved to the vacation rental industry. In contrast, the Indian River County Commission largely surrendered its authority to regulate short-term rentals in any meaningful way.

For Indian River residents outside the City of Vero Beach, hopes the Legislature would address their concerns about largely unregulated businesses operating in their neighborhoods were dashed with the news that Mayfield’s bill died in committee.

Though the County Commission has appointed a special committee to recommend ways of addressing the short-term, transient rental issue, detractors of the effort argue the advisory committee is largely made up of members who have a financial interest in short-term rentals.

For residents of the unincorporated area of the south barrier island, there only hope of finding protection from short-term rentals may be to seek annexation within the City of Vero Beach. A group of south beach residents are currently studying their options.