Cocoa Beach adopts higher fees for RS‑1 vacation rentals after lengthy public debate

Cocoa Beach commissioners on a split 4‑1 vote adopted Resolution 2025‑01 to raise registration, inspection and fine fees for short‑term (vacation) rentals located in the city’s RS‑1 single‑family zoning district.

The move, presented by City Manager Wayne Carregino and explained by the city attorney, is intended to shift the cost of regulating short‑term rentals from general taxpayers to short‑term rental owners and provide funding to enforce existing ordinances.

Becky, identified in the meeting as the city attorney, told the commission the ordinance now requires registration only for properties located in RS‑1 and does not cover condominiums or rentals in other zoning districts. “Right now the City of Cocoa Beach only regulates vacation rentals that are in the RS‑1 zoning district,” Becky said, noting that the registration program was originally written to focus on the area where commissioners believed problems were concentrated.

Wayne Carregino described the fiscal drivers behind the proposal: “The proposed fees is to fund a comprehensive program to regulate short‑term rental activity in the city,” he said, adding the increases are intended to cover enforcement costs the general fund has borne. City staff told the commission the city collected $100,306 in short‑term rental…