Cocoa Beach adopts citywide short-term rental rules; 30-day reduced-fee window approved

The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 3-2 on second reading to make short-term rental regulations citywide and, by a separate 5-0 vote, approved a 30-day reduced-fee window that temporarily lowers the initial registration fee to $500.

The ordinance (No. 1695) expands Chapter 26.5 of the city code — previously applied only in RS-1 residential zones — to cover the entire city. The accompanying resolution (2025-3) creates a 30-day reduced-fee period for vacation registration and late fees; commissioners said the reduced fee is intended to encourage prompt compliance.

Why it matters: City staff presented an enforcement cost estimate that led to proposed higher fees and to requests for additional enforcement staff and vehicles. Supporters said stronger, citywide rules are needed to curb disruptive “bad actors” and to fund enforcement; opponents argued the city’s fee estimates are too high, that a single flat fee is unfair across unit types, and that the commission should adopt a tiered, data-driven fee schedule.

The vote and votes-counts - Ordinance 1695 (second reading): passed 3-2 (Commissioner Jackson — Nay; Commissioner Robinson — Nay; Commissioner DeMulci — Yes; Vice Mayor Williams — Yes; Mayor Capizzi — Yes). - Resolution 2025-3 (30-day reduced-fee window / reduced registration fee): passed 5-0.

Debate and implementation concerns Supporters said citywide rules would give enforcement staff consistent authority across neighborhoods and commercial districts. City staff and…