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Board recommends lifting citywide prohibition on stays under 30 days; sends vacation rental text amendments to commission
Summary
Planning staff presented an ordinance to remove Lake Worth Beach's local ban on residential stays under 30 days and to update related definitions; the board voted to recommend the amendments to the city commission after discussing enforcement and accessory‑unit definitions.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted June 30 to recommend that the city commission adopt ordinance 2026‑09, which removes the local prohibition on rentals of less than 30 days and updates related land‑development definitions for vacation rentals, transit public lodging, accessory dwelling units and micro units.
"This ordinance is proposing the removal of the city's existing prohibition on residential rentals of less than 30 days and to update related provisions for consistency with current state law," said Scott Rodriguez, planning staff, explaining that the draft reflects direction from the commission to apply the rule citywide. The ordinance changes how certain dwelling types are defined and revises use tables so many residential properties will be eligible for short‑term rental uses under the updated code.
Board members raised practical questions about enforcement, whether accessory dwelling units and guest houses should be treated differently, and how the city will interface with state licensing and county review. One board member noted that short‑term rentals are happening now in practice and that local enforcement has been limited; staff said that approval will require state, county and city licensing where applicable. After discussion, the board moved to recommend the ordinance to the city commission.
