Davie Update

APublic Safety Master Plan was recently completed for the Fire-Rescue Department and the Police Department. The next step, which has been initiated, is for each department to finalize and implement a strategic plan, enabling a comprehensive yet holistic assessment of resources and corresponding service demands of the community. Moving forward, the Town will evaluate all public safety decisions with the most favorable options considering the Town’s diversity, growth, personnel safety, and technological advances.

Vacation Rentals

Over the past few years, the topic of Vacation Rentals, also referred to as Short-Term Rentals or Airbnb's, has been repeatedly debated in the Florida State Legislature. The discussion has divided legislators, with some taking a staunch position against the concept while others vehemently support the idea. Depending on your viewpoint, we should all be able to agree there needs to be more regulation for properties deemed as vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. Our residents must be able to have peaceful enjoyment of their residential property, and nothing should infringe on this right.

This topic continues to highlight that legislators have infringed upon local municipal leaders' control by stripping away our home-rule rights to govern our towns, cities, and villages, enact regulations and regulate businesses in our community. Unfortunately, each year during the Florida Legislative Session, lawmakers propose legislation to preempt and deter control from your local leaders on various topics and industries, such as vacation rentals.

The vacation rental change came to light in 2011 when the Florida Legislature prohibited municipalities from regulating short-term vacation rentals despite our attempts to defeat the item. This issue is not unique to Davie as the lure of South Florida, with its white sandy beaches, expansive parks and trails, beautiful weather and melting pot of cultures, has contributed to our community becoming a hotbed for vacation rental properties. As a result,

By Mayor Judy Paul

homeowners in peaceful neighborhoods will be faced with significant disturbances, such as homes being rented out for large events and parties, parking concerns, and violating noise ordinances.

Often, many people are perplexed when they learn that the Town is limited in regulating where these rentals can operate based on the States preemption law. With the passage of this legislation, the Town is tracking complaints and having conversations with residents who reside next to or within close proximity to properties designated as vacation rentals. As Mayor and in collaboration with the Town Councilmembers, we defend our rights for local control and recognize that this issue will have a deleterious effect on our community. As such, the Town has taken other initiatives and launched a Vacation Rental Registration Program and a local Ordinance. This is our best way to work within the boundaries of the law and requires all individuals with vacation rental properties within the Town to register their properties with the Town. This is to ensure that all vacation rental properties in Davie are held to an equal standard for property maintenance and code enforcement requirements. The registration application collects the most up-to-date and accurate owner information for each property, emergency contact information and structural information for emergency and code compliance purposes.

Other essential elements of the Vacation Rental Registration Program include access to the owner/agent of the property, obtaining the required State and local licenses, the availability of a telephone in the facility that allows users to call 911, posting the official name and address in a conspicuous place for users of the property, designated parking management and providing law enforcement resources to the property owner in the event their guests meet certain requirements.

We may not be able to prevent vacation rentals, but our goal is to have an Ordinance and program guidelines that provide oversight, tracking, and essential health, safety, parking, and solid waste requirements to help reduce the impacts of vacation rentals on our community. This is meant to make these properties safer and more compatible to the extent possible with existing neighborhoods and provide accountability for their proper operation. While this Ordinance and program are relatively new, it is our best option while I continue to seek legislative change to restore our local rights to represent our community. In the meantime, I will work and advocate for a safe and healthy living environment for all concerned.

▸For more information on the Town of Davie's Vacation Rental

Registration Program, please visit www.davie-fl.gov/VacationRentals or contact the Police Code Compliance

Division at 954-693-8237