[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6292109,"mediaKeyId","2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4","parentId",2528097,"title","Cocoa Beach commission approves first reading of citywide vacation-rental ordinance amid debate over fees and grandfathering","audioSeconds",4206,"startMs",2618000,"endMs",6824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4&start=2618&end=6824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4/thumbnail_2618000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6292109/Cocoa-Beach/Brevard-County/Florida/Cocoa-Beach-commission-approves-first-reading-of-citywide-vacation-rental-ordinance-amid-debate-over-fees-and-grandfathering","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292109-cacf909f2508f9cd3aaaea7a35cf8150/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202595&Signature=T5LqskODJ~FSAuQEg8pobFhKhODgweIka~k319gwVjCfwAj~~CTM8-NFHMeDGQFxkBOXufkjg~BlD3F0PmLKKnOYvxXeog0p1MTJXfM1-g7A8MwhDjkr9lrD4DXbPDQ16WDmRjHvIskaUk8IpeiRMl1ckas-rQLnV1GrpLwPVLsCpnIF2wB9fz2zNIgGyPkNh5DJD0x-Pr7kAp47hNwUltI8AjjuC177dXvad7zc2hVwyOvL~urYiiz7SgPuWkDnFbeYLMDm5RAS3aCFjhoVg~E9UYAF~~1lcnbmmHikbKF7JH~40WicBQmP7Cvq2m2c9EWLNuS89HnNWGT6EVofxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cocoa Beach, FL","date","2025-03-07T14:33:22Z","article","The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 3-2 on first reading to adopt Ordinance 16-95, which would change Chapter 26.5 of the city code to regulate vacation rentals citywide rather than only in the RS-1 single-family zoning district.

The ordinance’s passage on first reading came after more than an hour of public comment from rental owners and residents who said the proposed registration fees— which some speakers described as thousands of dollars per unit—would be onerous for small owners and long-standing properties. Several speakers asked that condominiums and other properties already permitted as transient lodging be exempted or grandfathered.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the item as an effort to bring short-term and vacation rentals into a consistent, enforceable citywide system. Supporters said registration and enforcement are necessary to address noise, parking and repeat nuisance complaints; opponents said the proposed fees and enforcement approach risk punishing compliant owners and harming small, long-term investors.

What the commission decided and why: The ordinance, described by staff as using the state definition of vacation rental and applying related code amendments, advanced on first reading by a 3-2 vote. Commissioners who supported the ordinance said a citywide approach is fairer in principle and will let the city develop an enforcement program; dissenting commissioners said the city should pilot and stabilize enforcement in the RS-1 zone before expanding.“I think we need data metrics of what all the offenders are,” one commissioner said during debate, urging a stepwise approach to expansion.

Public comment and implementation concerns: Dozens of owners and residents spoke. Among them, Marcus Grantham, who identified himself as an owner of three short-term units in Cocoa Beach, told commissioners, “Now that it's 2,500, I get to register our 3 condos, which is $7,500,” and said higher fees made compliance financially painful. Several condo owners said their properties had been operating as transient rentals for decades and had been inspected and self-policed; they urged an exemption for those long-standing operations.

City staff and the fire marshal described differences between transient lodging (hotels/motels) and individually owned vacation rentals, noting different inspection and ownership structures and that some existing properties had previously been permitted as transient under older city practices. Commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to review historical records so the commission could consider targeted grandfathering or clarifying language before second reading.

Fees, staffing and a temporary administrative reprieve: Debate over fees dominated the meeting. Finance staff explained enterprise funds are generally used for utilities and that short-term rental program revenues and costs must be tracked transparently in accordance with state law. Commissioners and members of the public disagreed on the scale of fees needed to cover the program.

To encourage voluntary compliance while the ordinance proceeds, the commission also approved administrative direction—by unanimous vote—to allow registrations submitted since the prior fee change to be treated at the earlier, lower rate and to refund the difference for those who already paid the higher fee. Commissioners passed that administrative direction 5-0; staff said they would process refunds for the small number of recent payers.

Next steps and timeline: Because the body approved only the first reading, the ordinance is not yet codified. Commissioners asked staff to return with exact historical documentation on previously permitted transient properties and with any proposed clarifying amendments for the ordinance’s second reading. The commission indicated it will revisit fee levels and implementation procedures at the next meeting, and several commissioners said they would consider narrower exemptions for properties that were historically permitted as transient lodging.

Votes at a glance (related measures from this meeting)
- Ordinance 16-95 (vacation rentals citywide) — first reading passed 3-2 (motion: “Move to approve ordinance 16 95.”; mover/second not specified in the record). Outcome: advanced to second reading.
- Resolution 2025-03 (temporary reduced-fee window) — action to table the resolution pending further consideration, passed 3-2 on the motion to table. Later, the commission by unanimous vote directed staff to accept registrations at the prior lower fee and to refund eligible recent payers (administrative direction passed 5-0).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","🔴LIVE - City of Cocoa Beach - 7:00 PM City Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 3-2 on first reading to adopt Ordinance 16-95, which would change Chapter 26.5 of the city code to regulate vacation rentals citywide rather than only in the RS-1 single-family zoning district.","taxTitle","Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",58510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6292099,"Commission approves pedestrian and bike stencils for Minutemen Causeway; FDOT to donate school safety artwork",654,1962000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4&start=1962&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4/thumbnail_1962000.jpg","/articles/6292099/Cocoa-Beach/Brevard-County/Florida/Commission-approves-pedestrian-and-bike-stencils-for-Minutemen-Causeway-FDOT-to-donate-school-safety-artwork","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292099-7d7b4b3966509521926e62681906af42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202595&Signature=iBBXf0nrLN4-PNZyuyh0WIMQrgq5qG5Kh7RD7QqOrARGS78ywOZnApnyOIIQzro77Yxhew1vs8Fvu6aRHwZZZuGTKiw-V5aL8bJwLhzKE0-RqG2W1zu8mwkfnWNgONV0os-3OItY54RJLMyoQNTjy1oJR45s0fNUSMMDw09cF0U~MWEuYYmEyl4O9gk7t2K8iyBPdCEeNgkxIyJ39QFnXDe-t~eppNZgO1YjctNd7RhIWCRMQaZ5Qk42DCplI7gfSmCiP2BocMXitUqWMxFc2aXExLxL06MsBkmzQ7ATGNjeUa0Wv60rz2ULXpDAlYFX56ptg0VO2QfYAP7sysAl2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 5-0 to approve installing shared-use stencils to mark pedestrians and bicycles on the multi-use path along Minutemen Causeway and to accept a donation from FDOT to install student bike-safety artwork near Roosevelt Elementary.

The action came after public comment urging low-cost, visible measures to improve crosswalk and sidewalk awareness. Judy Eberle, who spoke during public comment, told the commission, “Paint is cheap. Paint it,” and cited concerns about drivers failing to stop for pedestrians near schools.

Staff described the FDOT program: the agency ran a student drawing contest at Roosevelt Elementary and will install two thermal-plastic images at locations near the school (one where children park bikes and one by the exiting driveway). FDOT representatives estimate the markings will last five to seven years; staff said the installations are a no-cost donation to the city. Commissioners asked about color and maintenance; staff said FDOT would supply colored images and that the city could maintain or refresh them later if they fade.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the stencils and school artwork as low-cost, quickly implemented steps to increase visibility and to reduce pedestrian-bicycle conflicts, particularly near two schools on Minutemen Causeway. Several commissioners said the measures are an initial step in a longer effort to address e-bike speed and sidewalk safety.

Vote and next steps: The commission approved the stencil installation and accepted the FDOT donation by unanimous vote. Staff will work with FDOT on placement and follow up with a future briefing on e-bike enforcement and potential additional safety measures.","Commissioners approved installing combined pedestrian/bicycle stencils on the Minutemen Causeway multi-use path and accepted an FDOT-sponsored elementary-school bike-safety artwork donation for Roosevelt Elementary.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6292104,"Commission approves interlocal with Space Coast TPO; public presses FDOT on A1A speed hump design",694,1267000,1961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4&start=1267&end=1961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528097-94506156d88aa487666ad109edcd39f4/thumbnail_1267000.jpg","/articles/6292104/Cocoa-Beach/Brevard-County/Florida/Commission-approves-interlocal-with-Space-Coast-TPO-public-presses-FDOT-on-A1A-speed-hump-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292104-ce586ec38e548008eda591995025e157/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202595&Signature=l1ANxZw~yuuZDM9iwx2cGaGc4WCB3zk7CCwGUT0XJHDkyDIEgQ6eX50UfEStrkxy0I06wGiRKrSFS8CUJ8ybdxluMd3fRzLvVrlZ7c2T7lI6CTlCb4W1gH4LTDhWo8uS3gsBBMsdvSuTwHbxaxFjxNBhrXYJN~xL23RCK1~bLjBZyxFGwB~ymYw-IQWvhc4HE3nDI6ubO32R5Qia2LajzW11NzYXikW38OmBUSODze14S8GERmUAx1bODWkpjCSkjxrU-CQGfqw6idSZFkhNuyZGQxfdp4gaqexX20r7lTe41vLej9kUepiSJZYcBj4HeVZJxfB7vAr39egfXlKMDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 5-0 to approve an interlocal agreement (H-1) between the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), FDOT and Brevard County municipalities to provide transportation planning services, including coordination with the Central Florida Expressway Authority.

The item included an extended public discussion focused on a new raised speed hump installed on State Road A1A at the south entry to Cocoa Beach. Residents and commissioners said the hump differs from the “traffic table” public materials promised and poses a hazard for some vehicles unless redesigned or better signed.

Why it matters: The hump is on a state roadway managed by FDOT; commissioners said the city’s ability to require design changes is limited but asked staff to press FDOT district leadership for modifications. Several speakers urged that the TPO’s executive director, Georgiana Jollett, intervene with FDOT.

Public comments and staff follow-up: Multiple residents, including Marcus Grantham (Indian Harbor Beach) and Orson Charver, urged the city to get the hump modified or removed. City Manager Wayne Carregino reported he had a Monday meeting scheduled with John Tyler, FDOT District 5 director, and suggested the commission provide direction on whether to seek removal or modification. Commissioners stated a preference to pursue removal or to have the feature changed to the traffic-table design that was originally described to local officials.

Commissioners expressed concern about vehicle clearance and safety for low-profile cars and enforcement uncertainty. One commissioner said, “I don’t think you can navigate safely the speed bump at the speed limit,” describing concerns about drivers losing control if not warned in advance. The commission requested staff and the mayor participate in the FDOT meeting.

Vote and disposition: The interlocal agreement (agenda item H-1) was approved 5-0 after public comment. The commission recorded consensus to press FDOT for either removal or redesign of the speed hump and planned to send the TPO executive director a direct written request to advocate for Cocoa Beach residents.","The commission approved an interlocal agreement with the Space Coast TPO and other regional partners and heard extended public comment urging FDOT to remove or redesign speed humps placed on State Road A1A; commissioners secured a Monday meeting with FDOT to press for changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cocoa Beach commission approves first reading of citywide vacation-rental ordinance amid debate over fees and grandfathering

Commission approves pedestrian and bike stencils for Minutemen Causeway; FDOT to donate school safety artwork

Commission approves interlocal with Space Coast TPO; public presses FDOT on A1A speed hump design