Manatee County Commissioners Advance Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amid Community Debate
Manatee County commissioners have directed staff to review and refine a proposed short-term rental ordinance aimed at addressing complaints from residents who say vacation rental properties are disrupting neighborhoods.
The proposal, discussed during Tuesday’s commission meeting, seeks to establish standards for occupancy, parking, noise complaints and property management responsibilities. County Commission Chair Tal Siddique said the ordinance appears feasible and has been sent back to staff for further review before returning to the board for consideration.
Under the proposed regulations, occupancy would be limited to two people per bedroom, with a maximum of 12 occupants per home. Guests would be required to park in driveways, and property owners or managers would need to be available around the clock and respond to complaints within one hour. Violations involving occupancy limits, noise or parking could result in fines ranging from $250 to $5,000.
Supporters of the ordinance told commissioners that short-term rentals have created ongoing quality-of-life issues in some neighborhoods, citing loud parties, excessive traffic and disturbances that they say have disrupted previously quiet communities. Some residents argued that stronger enforcement measures are needed to protect neighborhoods from repeated violations.
Opponents, including some short-term rental owners, urged commissioners to focus on addressing problematic behavior rather than imposing additional regulations on all rental operators. They argued that existing laws already provide tools to address noise, parking and nuisance complaints and warned that new restrictions could negatively impact property rights and small business owners.
Siddique noted that state law limits the ability of local governments to regulate rental durations or cap the number of short-term rental properties. However, he said local officials can pursue regulations related to health, safety and operational standards. He added that the success of any ordinance would depend on enforcement costs and the availability of county resources.
The proposal will return to the Manatee County Commission after staff completes its review and provides recommendations on implementation and enforcement.