Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

The mayors of Pinellas County’s beach communities want to find a way to reclaim their power to restrict short-term rentals in their towns. The first step will be to organize a roundtable discussion involving state legislators and others involved in the short-term rental business. The mayors who make up the Big-C, the Barrier Islands Government […]

Drew WilsonApril 28, 2018

Airbnb this week touted a new report showing Florida seniors are cashing checks thanks to its platform, and the Florida League of Cities said that announcement is proof the company doesn’t need to bypass local governments in the vacation rental food fight. The report showed Florida Airbnb hosts aged 55 and older made more than […]

Peter SchorschMarch 28, 2018

States that embrace short-term rentals and other segments of the burgeoning “sharing economy” tend to be better innovation incubators than states that don’t, according to new research from a consumer electronics trade group. The Consumer Technology Association, the trade group that puts on the annual International Consumer Electronics Show, included a category on state policies […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 29, 2018

Tomorrow, members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee have an important decision to make regarding the future of short-term rentals in the State of Florida. There are two introduced bills on the agenda that would impact the short-term rental industry, but only one that adequately addresses the need to establish a clear, sensible line between […]

Guest AuthorDecember 15, 2017

Travel and tourism have long served as the backbone of Florida’s economy, which is now the 18th largest in the world. Here in Pensacola, we’re proud that our city has emerged as a driving force of this growth industry. In just the past year, the Pensacola region welcomed 2.7 million visitors who have invested $787 […]

Guest AuthorOctober 11, 2017

In an effort to stifle competition from short-term rentals and maintain their ability to price gouge consumers during compression periods, the hotel lobby is pressuring government officials in states like Florida to implement regulations that would severely restrict or ban homeowners from welcoming visitors into their private residence. A recent piece penned by the hotel […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2017

On behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), I am honored to go before the Senate Community Affairs Committee tomorrow to discuss short-term rentals — an important topic of concern in recent years given the emergence of online rental platforms. While these platforms provide people with a new method to access and advertise short-term rentals, there have also been many unintended side effects. Alarmingly, these platforms are being exploited by commercial operators who run illegal hotels without […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 6, 2017

Short-term rentals have become a vital component of Florida’s tourism industry, granting property owners and visitors more flexibility when planning the duration and location of their stay. These types of rentals also help lift financial burdens off family renters by allowing them to stay together in a home instead of multiple hotel rooms, which can […]

Associated PressNovember 28, 2016

When Randall Baker began renting out a pair of College Park cottages through Airbnb, he says he thought he had done everything right. He had a business license through the state and tax receipts from the city and county. But after a neighbor complained, Orlando code enforcement determined Baker was violating zoning rules. Though he […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Though ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy. Companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue […]

Tag: short-term rentals

‘Leave us the heck alone’: Beach towns seek meeting with state lawmakers on short-term rentals

League of Cities gives Airbnb a dose of snark

Florida short-term rental policies hurt innovation, trade group says

FRLA’s Carol Dover talks short-term rentals

Ashton Hayward: Residents, tourists alike can benefit from sharing economy

Matt Kiessling: Florida needs commonsense short-term rental policies

Troy Flanagan: Florida lawmakers must protect tourism by addressing illegal rentals

Greg Steube: Local rental rules hurt the economy

Orlando grapples with Airbnb, other rental networks

Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb