Bradenton Beach is looking into some shady business.
City officials are taking steps to regulate private cabana rental companies operating on public beaches without oversight.
During a July 10 city commission meeting, city attorney Ricinda Perry cited existing city code that might prohibit such activity.
She pointed to Section 46-37 of the code of ordinances, which defines parks to include beaches and prohibits any structure — temporary or permanent — on park property without a special permit from the city commission.
“That says to me, there can be no tent of any kind, any kind of sun shelter on any part of the beaches because they are a park,” Perry said.
Commissioners then expressed concern that the ordinance’s broad language might unintentionally penalize casual beachgoers instead of targeting cabana companies that pre-stage rental equipment, using public beaches for private business
“I think, having been at the Manasota League of Cities meetings and having representatives speak from Holmes Beach and Anna Maria, their argument in this regard is the advertisement for gain — for a private business in a public park — and that’s how they’re addressing it,” Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said.
She said some cabana companies place empty tents and chairs on the beach, marked with business name, phone number and QR code, allowing beachgoers to rent them instantly with a scan.
“I think our concern should not be with mom and dad trying to protect their kids or elderly people trying to enjoy the beach without getting sunstroke,” she said. “I think we need to look at the companies that are taking advantage.”
“We have cabana companies setting up empty tents with chairs, not rented, five in a row. They’re doing it so if someone comes to the beach and thinks, ‘Oh man, I’d like that tent,’ they scan the QR code, and now the business is getting money,” she continued.
Scaccianoce emphasized that such setups amount to unauthorized commercial advertising and use of public property for private gain, possibly without proper licensing, taxation or on-site supervision.
Commissioner Ralph Cole compared the situation to unregulated vendors operating waterside businesses at Palma Sola Bay.
“When I see people (business operators) pull up to the causeway and they pay no rent, they pay nothing, they advertise and they’ve got banners out … they are doing exactly what the cabanas are doing,” Cole said. “It’s getting out of hand. Pretty soon we will just have them lined up all the way up and down the beach and we will have a serious problem. We need to protect our existing businesses that have been here for years and years.”
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh motioned to direct Perry to investigate regulatory options and return with possible changes to the ordinance. Commissioner Scott Bear seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
Well at least we aren’t claiming it’s a sign ordinance violation, people are willing to pay for the convenience of having someone else provide and set up a shade and the city is concerned they aren’t getting their share of the revenue. Just wondering if there will need to be a Czar of Cabanas to track and regulate the use, and maybe a temporary building permit, next they will need the hold harmless just incase a claim is filed so the regulatory agency and Czar are not in the picture.
Who says the island cities don’t work together and have the same goals?