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Resident tells council Airbnb party blocked driveways, threatened him; council weighs limited local options
Summary
A Keystone Heights resident described a large, ticketed Airbnb party near the school that left cars blocking driveways and included a threat; he said deputies did not file a report. City attorney explained municipalities face state preemption on short-term rental regulation and enforcement largely rests with the sheriff; council agreed to follow up with code-enforcement guidance and possible letters to the property owner and sheriff.
A longtime Keystone Heights resident used public comment time to tell the council that a short-term rental next door drew dozens of guests, left vehicles blocking driveways well past midnight and, he said, resulted in a direct threat to his safety.
Resident Kyle Bennett (address given to the clerk) said the Airbnb at 655 Point View advertised a commercial-style party with online ticketing and, on the night in question, produced “25, 28 cars in the front yard” and a violent verbal threat toward him. Bennett said he called the sheriff twice and that deputies’ response did not result in a report; he told the council, “They came out. No report. No nothing.”
City Attorney Rich and staff outlined the city’s limited toolbox. Rich said state law has constrained municipal control over short-term rentals in recent years; where criminal conduct occurred the sheriff and state attorney have discretion to pursue charges. If property owners violate noise, parking or zoning rules, the city’s code-enforcement officer can act after a complaint is filed, but enforcement is typically reactive and may not operate on weekends.
“Short-term vacation rentals have been preempted to the state,” Rich said, adding that code enforcement and coordination with the sheriff’s office remain the most practical local paths. Councilmembers asked staff to examine filing procedures for zoning complaints, discuss towing options when vehicles block private property, and consider a council-signed letter to the sheriff asking for a stronger response in repeat or egregious cases.
The council did not enact new short-term rental regulations at the meeting but agreed to follow up with staff reports and to explore options—enforcement, nuisance tickets, towing protocols and education for property owners and hosting platforms.
