INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The weather is just about perfect across Tampa Bay and that means more and more visitors are making their way South. Indian Rocks Beach is trying to strike a balance between short term vacation rentals and permanent residents.
Residents are fed up with the rowdy, troublesome vacation rentals along their beach. Some have complained to Indian Rocks Beach leaders. Now, city leaders are looking into new regulations.
That could mean forcing homeowners who rent out their place to get a business receipt, assigning a contact person who would be responsible for the rental property and forcing the homeowners who rent their properties to be open for inspection anytime the city wants.
However, it’s a complicated debate.
The Florida Legislature passed laws that basically took away local cities power over vacation rentals. That means if the city puts too many regulations in place, they could end up being sued.
City leaders are struck between a rock and a hard place trying to appease long-term residents and not stepping on the toes of people choosing to rent out their homes.
Indian Rocks Beach recently met to talk about their options and hope to possibly make a final decision by January.
