Florida beach community weighs vacation rental rules as residents cite noise, trash, and parking

The Santa Rosa Island Authority is considering tighter short-term rental rules on Pensacola Beach in response to resident complaints about trash, noise, and a lack of street parking, WEAR-TV reported.

If approved, the plan would revise how short-term rentals are managed and add more oversight for homeowners who rent properties to visitors.

One element of the proposal would establish a registry for homes used as short-term rentals using information from owners, Florida's vacation rental database, and records from the Escambia County Clerk of Court.

Owners included in the registry would need to show they are registered with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. They would also be required to provide a designated contact person who can respond at any hour to law enforcement concerns or county ordinance violations.

Tourist Janet Douglass said the area can become quite congested during the peak season. "It gets crowded in the summer. It's hard to find parking like before kids go back to school," she said, adding that litter left behind by beach visitors can be a problem. "Families with their kids coming down, and you know they could clean up a little better off the beach. Sometimes we pick up trash when we walk in the morning."

Per WEAR-TV , Kim Walden, who owns four Escambia County rental properties, said the proposal could be helpful if it is implemented carefully. "I think if it's done right, it would be beneficial for both the property owners and the visitors," she said.

Some residents say clearer instructions from owners could stop certain problems before officials have to get involved.

Concerns about housing rules, whether from landlords or neighborhood associations, can also raise questions about how to change bylaws in the local community.

Creating a formal registry could help officials more easily identify which homes are operating as short-term rentals and whether those properties are properly registered with the state.

Having a contact person available around the clock could also give neighbors and authorities a quicker way to deal with issues as they come up, rather than letting complaints go unanswered.

Still, the SRIA's attorney said the authority has limited power because some regulations are controlled by Escambia County, meaning broader changes may need to be made at the county level.

The proposed policy was scheduled to be discussed at the Santa Rosa Island Authority's meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here .