City - Register rentals or face consequences

More than 1,000 Destin homeowners have been asked to register their rental homes with City Hall, the latest step in the city's plan to regulate longterm rental property in Destin.

The City Council passed an ordi- nance in July requiring owners of long-term rentals -- short-term rentals have been regulated for several years -- to register with the city and to make sure their tenants comply with the city's parking, garbage and occupancy rules.

The city mailed letters last week.

Supporters of the ordinance say some of Destin's single-family homes have become boarding houses packing a dozen or more unrelated adults onto the premises, sometimes with multiple cars spilling out of the driveway and onto nearby sidewalks.

Opponents say it's unjust to regulate every rental in Destin when only a minority caused problems. They also objected that it was unfair to apply different standards to resident renters and resident homeowners.

Since the ordinance passed, city staff have combed through property records and come up with a list of 1,250 non-homesteaded properties. Owners who live in their homes can claim a "homestead" reduction in their property taxes, so non-homestead houses are more likely to be rentals.

Community Development Director Jerry Mucci said in an interview that owners who don't answer will receive a second letter, then follow-up phone calls.

Mucci said owners might lie about owning a rental, but if the tenants violate the city rules on overcrowding, garbage or parking, the neighbors usually complain to City Hall, which will expose the lie.

If tenants violate the ordinance requirements, the city's Code Enforcement Department can levy fines against the owners if the problems aren't fixed. If the owners refuse to comply, the city can ban them from renting the house.

Enforcement of the new rules will begin Oct. 1.