INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. – The City of Indian Rocks Beach is considering making some significant changes to its highly controversial short-term rental ordinance.
Possible changes to the ordinance will be discussed at a City Commission workshop scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at Indian Rocks Beach City Hall.
What you need to know
- During the mediation with the plaintiffs, the city attorney and city manager developed a proposal for a revised ordinance
- City commissioners will consider changes during a meeting on Tuesday
- Homeowners who oppose the changes fear it will undermine the current regulation
- MORE: Governor DeSantis vetoes SB 280
Earlier this year, seven vacation property owners filed lawsuits against the ordinance, which will take effect in spring 2023. After the lawsuits were filed, the city entered into a mediation process with the plaintiffs and drafted a revised version of the ordinance.
Matthew Barrowclough is one of the plaintiffs and says they spent several hours working directly with the city manager and city attorney on the proposed rule changes.
“In mediation, you can never guarantee that you will reach a productive outcome,” he said. “I can say that I was there myself and worked with the city. I am happy and grateful that we were able to come together despite our differences.”
Barrowclough says he took legal action last year, but it was put on hold when SB 280 made its way through the Florida Legislature. That bill would have given the state oversight of regulating all vacation rentals and could have essentially lifted local restrictions in Indian Rocks Beach. Gov. Ron DeSantis ultimately vetoed the bill in July, and Barrowclough says that’s when the plaintiffs’ talks with the city resumed.
The inspection rules and required signage would also be changed.
Many residents who have fought to prevent short-term rentals on the streets in this area are frustrated and say these changes would undermine current regulations.
Local resident John Pfanstiehl said the regulations are fair and consistent with similar ordinances in coastal cities elsewhere in Florida.
“They have been tested in many cities and counties in Florida, so the regulations that are in place are reasonable,” he said. “But overall, short-term rentals should not be in single-family neighborhoods. There should not be hotel operations everywhere here.”
Pfanstiehl says he plans to attend the city commission workshop on Tuesday and would like to see this case handled by a judge.
“They don’t see who comes into their home, and they don’t care who comes into their home. Many are investors from another state or another city,” he said.
Residents from both sides want to have their say at the city commission’s workshop during the public hearing. A final vote has not yet been scheduled.
