Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office approved the reopening of vacation rentals in panhandle counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla (county plans below).
Each of these counties submitted plans that met Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulatons (DBPR) guidelines. These plans included a variety of restrictions and guidelines. For example, Escambia County’s plan says, “Reservations and stays will be allowed from U.S. states with a COVID-19 Case Rate less than 700cases/100K residents as of May 15.”
These restricted states include, Louisiana, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York.
Other restrictions in county plans prohibit international visitors, and “reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the Governor are to be avoided for the next 30-45 days.”
Additional cleaning and safety guidelines were included. Here are links to the approved short-term rental plans submitted by Florida counties:
- Walton County Short-term Rental Plan
- Escambia County Vacation Rental Plan
- Okaloosa Vacation Rental Plan
- Santa Rosa Short-term Rental Plan
- Bay County Vacation Rental Plan
- Gulf County Vacation Rental Plan
- Franklin County Vacation Rental Plan
- Wakulla County Vacation Rental Plan
Vacation rental companies along the northern Gulf Coast are currently taking reservations.
On the Gulf Coast, Alabama gained a first-mover advantage for first part of the summer while Florida’s vacation rentals were closed.
This just shows that DeSantis was being obstinate. I’ve read through all the plans, and they’re 99% the same. He could have just used these exact same guidelines and said “x counties can rent starting on May 11 using these guidelines.” Instead, he made everyone wait it out and submit individual plans.
I’m glad that it’s getting done, but he really has just acted like a jerk about it. And I’m still irritated that hotels and motels don’t have to follow the same guidelines.
Outstanding! Very good decision!