COMMENTARY
MILT THOMAS
Editor’s note: Just when we thought our quiet residential neighborhoods were protected with strong local ordinances regulating short term rentals, the State Legislature is fast tracking House and Senate bills that would abolish local control over the issue.
TALLAHASSEE
Despite opposition from Miami and Miami-Dade and a group of beach communities, a Florida House subcommittee on Tuesday passed a bill that prevents cities and counties from passing any new ordinances that restrict vacation rentals of private homes.
The 9 to 6 vote by the Careers & Competition Subcommittee sends the controversial bill to the 30-member Commerce Committee, which is top heavy with lawmakers from South Florida where opposition to short-term vacation rentals has been most intense.
The bill (HB 425), sponsored by Rep. Mike LaRosa, R-St. Cloud, prevents local governments from imposing new restrictions on vacation homes. Local ordinances that were in effect on June 1, 2011, could remain, but restrictions adopted after that date, including laws based on a 2014 legislative compromise, would be declared “void and unenforceable” by the state and wiped off the books.
Indian River Guardian 
I am president of Black swan consulting,and I am also a builder and developer in this county for over 20 years ,I am a local guy
I also co chaired the short term vacation rental committee
1st let me address the Burt Harris threat ,I am very familiar with it ,it is not that easy to win and it is very costly,I have used it as leverage in the past as a developer ,and I have fought against it
2nd I am 100 percent in favor of home rule ,and believe that is the best way to protect our lifestyle
3rd preserving rights works both ways ,a person should be able to do with his property what he is legally permitted to do do ,but people living in residential neighborhoods ,should have there rights protected also.
In closing I have built 11 subdivisions in this county ,and represented more. I wrote most of my own docs ,for my Hoa s and have been president of all at one time or another ,and still am on some ,a strong HOA is a good way to protect your way of life in your neighborhood ,now you can’t do it after the fact but upfront it will stand legally for example in one of my developement s it says you can rent your home 1 time and it must be for a minimum of 1 year ,I have upheld that and have never lost a challenge against it .
My opinion short term vacation rentals ,should not be permitted in single family residential I would allow it in multi family ,and commercial ,
A short explanation
Joseph Paladin
Sounds reasonable, Mr. Paladin. Home rule is better than having someone way off telling us we must conform to whatever is being allowed in Tampa, Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Key Largo, and all the little towns and all the great big cities.