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Resident says short‑term rentals have turned Palm Coast neighborhood into a 'nightmare'
Summary
A Palm Coast resident told the City Council that late‑night parties at a nearby short‑term rental are affecting his and his wife's health. Council members and staff reiterated that the city adopted a permit and enforcement approach focused on owners, and staff offered to follow up on individual complaints.
A Palm Coast resident said repeated parties at a nearby short‑term rental have left him sleepless and worried for his health.
Dennis Secola, a longtime Palm Coast resident, told the City Council during the meeting’s public‑comment period: “I went from living a dream to living a nightmare.” He said guests from out of state arrive late, use a heated pool and make noise into the early morning hours, and that he and his wife are “both getting losing sleep and getting sick about this.”
The comment came after the council last year moved to allow regulated short‑term rentals. The issue has drawn neighbors’ attention because residents said enforcement has been slow to stop late‑night disturbances. The city manager’s office asked Mr. Secola to provide his address to staff so inspectors and the sheriff’s office can follow up.
Why this matters: Council members said the ordinance the council adopted was written to comply with state law while creating a local registration and enforcement program. Councilman Miller clarified the city’s approach: “We didn’t vote to allow Airbnb as they were allowed by state law. We voted to restrict them and to create a permitting process and an enforcement arm.” The rule, he said, targets property owners with hosting permits rather than transient visitors, so the city can hold local owners responsible for repeated violations.
What was said and who will act: Acting City Manager asked the resident to share his address with Jason De Lorenzo so staff and Commander Woodward of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office can inspect and, if needed, respond. Staff confirmed all short‑term rentals are required to register and pay a fee; the registration form and enforcement information are posted on the City of Palm Coast website.
Context and limits: Council members and staff cautioned that state law constrains local governments’ ability to ban short‑term rentals outright, but said the city adopted a permitting program and enforcement path intended to limit disturbances in residential neighborhoods. Councilman Miller and other council members reiterated that the city’s enforcement focus is on owners, who can lose the ability to host if they repeatedly violate local rules.
Next steps: Staff requested that the resident submit a complaint form and his address so code inspectors and law enforcement can follow up immediately. The city said it will investigate the address provided and respond through its normal code‑enforcement and sheriff‑office channels.
Ending: Neighbors who want staff follow‑up were told to use the city’s complaint form and to note specific incidents; staff said the registration system and targeted owner enforcement are the city’s primary tools for reducing repeat disturbances at short‑term rentals.
