JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville Beach is calling on the governor to develop "meaningful legislation" and veto a bill that affects laws regarding short-term vacation rentals.
In a letter signed by Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman and City Manager Michael Staffopoulos addressed to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, they urge him to veto State Bill 280.
The bill would weaken some of the regulating power of local governments when it comes to short-term vacation rentals (STVRs).
"SB 280 does not help local communities deal with the types of issues they are seeing with STVRs," the letter states.
The city pointed to concerns about corporate ownership and "gang member parties" at short-term rentals that have prompted residents in the area to call on local law enforcement.
"The issues with STVRs are gradually moving from party houses to creating serious life/safety issues for the residents living adjacent to these properties," the letter states.
In the last week, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department responded to two incidents at short-term rentals, resulting in multiple people being detained. No injuries were reported, and the city described the incidents as "gang-related."
In the letter, the city also attached an August 2023 summary of "several issues" that local law enforcement has dealt with involving short-term rentals.
The summary included three things the city says make up a majority of complaints: noise, parking and trash.
"After speaking with the tenants, the sound is turned down. The following weekend, the same complaints are made, and the process repeats itself, as the STVR has new tenants," the city said.
The 2023 summary also highlighted another growing issue.
"A new issue the City has had to deal with is the rental of STRVs to gangs for the purpose of livestreaming their parties where they display guns, alcohol and gang members," the summary states. "There have been several local raids made by JBPD and JSO jointly on STRVs where multiple gang members with warrants are arrested, and guns are seized."
City leaders are calling for the veto of SB 280, and want a partnership between legislators and local elected officials to help develop a bill that "works for all vested parties."
