Cape Coral is facing a growing challenge with vacation rentals not adhering to city ordinances, prompting Council Member Jennifer Nelson-Lastra to spearhead efforts for stricter compliance. The city, which relies heavily on short-term rentals due to a limited hotel infrastructure, is exploring revised registration fees and enhanced enforcement measures to ensure a balanced approach for both residents and tourists.
Key Takeaways
- Council Member Jennifer Nelson-Lastra is leading the initiative to address non-compliant vacation rentals.
- The city is considering changes to registration fees and enforcement strategies.
- Concerns exist about balancing economic needs with resident quality of life.
- An advisory group will help develop a fair and effective plan.
Addressing Non-Compliance
Council Member Nelson-Lastra has identified over 200 vacation rentals listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO that are currently violating the city’s ordinance requiring a minimum one-week stay. "I think our bigger discussion needs to be, how are we going to address that, and what is the enforcement look like for those individuals moving forward," Nelson-Lastra stated.
Proposed Fee Increases and Community Reaction
Previously, a proposal to increase the vacation rental registration fee from $35 to $600 faced significant opposition from residents. Many expressed concerns that such a steep increase could negatively impact the local economy and discourage tourism. "How are you trying to run people out when our economy needs to grow?" questioned one resident. Another added that while a moderate increase might be reasonable, $600 was "a little bit outrageous."
Developing a Fair System
Nelson-Lastra is now working with an advisory group throughout the summer to craft a plan that holds rule-breakers accountable without penalizing compliant rental owners. The goal is to create a system that respects the business aspect of vacation rentals while also safeguarding the interests of the community and visitors. "If you look at these properties, they’re technically businesses, and if a business doesn’t comply, after a magistrate demands that they comply, what do you do? You shut down the business. Now our concern, of course, from our city perspective and council perspective, is we don’t want to harm the visitor," Nelson-Lastra explained.
Learning from Other Municipalities
The council member is examining Sanibel’s vacation rental ordinance as a potential model. Sanibel implements a tiered registration fee system, with the highest fee capped at $300. The advisory committee will also focus on improving support for the Cape Coral Police and code enforcement departments to ensure better compliance with vacation rental regulations.