Commission approves multiple local ordinances including short-term rental rules and a smoking ban in parks

The Palatka City Commission moved on several ordinance items during its Dec. 11 meeting.

Short-term rentals: Miss West presented a first-reading ordinance to establish regulations, registration, and business-tax requirements for short-term vacation rentals within the city. The ordinance, adopted on a first-reading motion, sets a registration process and seeks to bring currently unregulated rental properties into a local compliance framework. Dennis Hanks of the Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals spoke in support and suggested the city review the proposed $300 fee and consider lower reapplication fees in year two for a small initial rental inventory.

Smoking and vaping in parks: The commission held a first reading of an ordinance to prohibit smoking and vaping in all city parks, including e-cigarettes and vaping products. Miss West said enforcement will use the newly adopted municipal-infraction framework and that citations can be issued beginning in January under the new procedures. Public comment supported the measure.

Other ordinances: The commission conducted second-reading votes on several items (certified recovery residences ordinance and a street vacation regarding Wall Street between 10th and 11th Streets) and approved them as presented.

Next steps: First-reading ordinances proceed to a required second reading (if applicable); staff will prepare enforcement procedures and public information for the new park-smoking rule and will revisit fee levels and definitions for short-term rentals as recommended by speakers and commissioners.