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Commission adopts updated fire code; ordinance clarifies short-term rental coverage and burn-ban authority
Summary
The board adopted revisions to the county fire code that add definitions, clarify applicability to short-term rentals (noted as covering all short-term rental types including VRBO and hotels) and adjust who can start/stop a burn ban. A separate burn-ban ordinance was continued for state clarification to April 16 as requested.
The Washington County Commission adopted updates to its fire-code ordinance March 19 that add definitions and clarify the ordinanceapplies to short-term rentals as well as commercial lodging.
County attorney said the amendments were requested by the fire coordinator and building officials to fill gaps in the code and to make the provisions applicable to properties offered through platforms such as VRBO and other short-term rental operations. "We just use the term VRBO to describe it," the attorney said; he clarified the change covers all short-term rentals and commercial lodging where the commercial classification applies.
Public commenters asked whether the ordinance requires short-term rental hosts to become licensed businesses with the State of Florida. The board and county attorney replied that licensing applies if the rental is operated as a commercial enterprise; the county will follow state licensing rules where applicable.
The board voted to adopt the fire-code updates. On related items addressing the burn-ban declaration process and a separate proposed burn-ban ordinance, the board agreed to continue advertising and set a date certain of April 16 to give the state time to review language requested by the Florida Forestry Service and the Department of Environmental Protection.
The county said the burn-ban amendments are intended to make it unnecessary to hold an emergency meeting to start or stop a burn ban and to include an exemption process for certified burners with permits from the Florida Forest Service.
