Saturday, May 29, 2010

“Try a Beach Vacation Rental in Florida for Your Next Trip” plus 1 more

“Try a Beach Vacation Rental in Florida for Your Next Trip” plus 1 more


Try a Beach Vacation Rental in Florida for Your Next Trip

Posted: 29 May 2010 12:03 AM PDT

By: Joel Mclaughlin One of the most relaxing types of vacations is undoubtedly a trip to the beach. Often large and roomier than a standard hotel room and priced very comparably, vacation rentals offer a greater sense of relaxation with a "home away from home" appeal that can't be achieved in any other setting. Vacation rentals [...]

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About James Swartwout
Jim Swartwout is a Florida Vacation home owner and the Operating Manager of Florida Gulf Vacation LLC which operates the Florida Vacation Rental website http://www.floridagulfvacation.com. Connecting Florida Vacation rental owners and travelers on the web since 2004, the site allows owners to list their properties for just $6 per month and is free to travelers who can create an account, build wishlists and contact the owners directly from the site.

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City pondering vacation rentals

Posted: 26 May 2010 12:22 AM PDT

The city of St. Helena is following the county's lead by reconsidering its regulations pertaining to vacation rentals.

According to City Attorney John Truxaw, the city's municipal code contains no clear prohibitions of vacation rentals — defined as residential rentals for a period of less than 30 days without a use permit — but the reading of several code sections together makes it clear they are illegal.

Property owners who rent their property for less than 30 days must obtain a use permit and pay the city a 12-percent transient occupancy tax. But as the county has discovered, violations are widespread and enforcement is difficult.

On Tuesday city staff asked the planning commission to consider revising the municipal code to more clearly address vacation rentals.

"This has been an issue in the past," Planning Director Carol Poole told the commission. "People have gone online and looked at our code and haven't gone away with the conclusion that they can't rent their houses out (for less than 30 days)."

City staff periodically troll the Internet for illegal vacation rentals.

In 2004 the city filed an enforcement action against Peter and Paulette Story to abate illegal vacation rentals at a house on Pratt Avenue. The city won and got a lien on the property for collection.

Another enforcement action on South Crane Avenue ended in a settlement out of court.

Commissioner Alan Galbraith suggested that the city farm out enforcement duties to an attorney from the private sector. Violators could be forced to cover the legal fees for enforcement, which would give the attorney a financial incentive to ferret out violators.

Meanwhile, the city could make special permits available to property owners who wish to offer short-term rentals but don't fit the rubric of a traditional bed-and-breakfast, Galbraith said.

Planning Commissioner Sandy Ericson proposed that people who have a primary residence in St. Helena could rent out their rooms short-term to help people who can't afford a hotel.

Poole will discuss the commission's ideas with the city attorney and report back at a future meeting.


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