Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Vacation rental issue re-emerges in legislature

Florida lawmakers appear poised to again debate the regulation of the vacation-rental industry.

Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, on Monday filed a bill (HB 325) that is the latest version in a long-running battle about issues such as how much authority cities and counties should have to regulate vacation rentals.

Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, filed an identical bill (SB 512) on Friday. Lawmakers will consider the measures during the 2022 legislative session, which starts in January.

The bills say, in part, that the regulation of online vacation-rental platforms “is preempted to the state,” which would take away local authority to regulate platforms such as Airbnb. It would allow local governments to require the registration of vacation rental properties.

Cities and counties have fought past vacation-rental bills, arguing that they should have regulatory authority.