A few small suggested changes may impact the Holmes Beach vacation rental ordinance in big ways.
During a Sept. 13 work session, commissioners discussed amending the section of the ordinance governing violations and fines. It was decided to set a violation period of 24 months, the effective span of a vacation rental certificate. Within those 24 months, with the input of Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, commissioners decided to raise the fines.
The proposed fines include, for a first violation of the VRO, a written warning; a second violation will result in a $250 fine; a third violation will net a $500 fine; and more than three violations will each result in a $5,000 fine.
“We want a fine to be big enough to make an impression,” city attorney Patricia Petruff said.
At Petruff’s suggestion, language was removed that would allow for the suspension of a vacation rental certificate after multiple violations.
“I would like the threat of it in there,” Commissioner Jean Peelen said of the option to suspend a certificate.
“It’s not a threat if you can’t do it,” Petruff said, adding that suspension of a certificate is too close to prohibiting vacation rentals — which is against state law.
Tokajer said violations to the noise ordinance are addressed separately from the VRO.
Commissioners also agreed to remove a stipulation that vacation rental certificate applications must be notorized.
“It’s hard to submit a notorized affidavit online,” Petruff said.
With regard to advertising, commissioners agreed to maintain the requirement to have the issued vacation rental certificate number and maximum occupancy included on print and internet advertising, however, they removed a requirement to have the certificate number displayed on signage.
The amended ordinance will move forward to a commission meeting for a public hearing and vote.
“We are learning through this process,” Mayor Bob Johnson said. “We’re trying to write something we can work with that makes sense to the rational, prudent man or woman.”
Commissioners will next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, for a final budget hearing followed by a regular meeting and work session.