Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rentals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Owner‑occupied Airbnb hosts ask Palm Coast to exempt long‑standing home‑based rentals from new occupancy limits
Summary
Multiple owner‑occupied short‑term rental hosts told the council their operations differ from absentee investment rentals and asked for exemptions or addenda so longstanding owner‑occupied hosts are not penalized by new occupancy limits.
Several owner‑occupied short‑term rental hosts used the Feb. 18 public‑comment period to urge the council to exempt homes that are owner‑occupied and actively managed from proposed occupancy limits for short‑term rentals.
Cathy Davidson described hiring a local overseer to check on her Airbnb when she is away and said that model has prevented neighborhood problems: “We have been very responsible. That is the difference between the model that we have … and the other model, which is you buy a house and you don't live in it.”
Jolle Davidson said there are about 28 to 34 homes in Palm Coast where the owner lives in the home and monitors short‑term rental activity; she reported the group’s research shows more than half of their guests are senior citizens and cited a Carewell article naming Palm Coast as a top destination for seniors. She asked the council to add an addendum for owner‑occupied homes so those hosts are treated differently than absentee operators.
Speakers said they worry a one‑size‑fits‑all occupancy limit would penalize small, owner‑occupied hosts who live near and supervise their properties. The council thanked speakers for their comments; no immediate policy change was made at the meeting.
Council members did not vote on short‑term rental rules at this meeting; the public comment was entered for council consideration.
