I live in a very small town Mary Esther, FL. I bough a very run down home across the street from my main residence. The home had a tenant and I did not get a security deposit. Since the home needed major work I let the tenant stay in hopes he would take care of the place. New roof, new floors, garage door, shed, driveway, paint, fans, insulation on the ducts etc. Well, he wasn't taking care of it. I wanted a short term rental anyways. I went to the City of Mary Ether was told I needed a State of Florida license to proceed. I had to start a business and get a ficticious name. Went back to the City and was told to get an Okaloosa County license. Did that and then returned. The City issued me a TAX RECEIPT giving me permission to do business in the city. That was in July. I bought furniture and did much more repairs to the home to make it a 5 star place. The driveway is oversized to accomodate parking so people are not parking on the street. I replaced 6 ft fences with 8 ft fences. I am now booked till 3/31/2019!!! Last Friday at 4 PM I was given a stop order effective immediately. No more rentals after 4/30/2018 due to zoning regulations.
I went to see the City Manager who told me I had to be on the agenda for the monthly meeting. The meeting was AFTER my stop date. What was I going to do!!
I went to the meeting and spoke to the city council members without being on the agenda. I was told they would extend to 5/31/2018 and the next meeting is 5/6/2018!!! That gives me 3 weeks to cancel my 6K June and July!!!
The board is telling me to rent to long term rentrs...duh, I did that and he tore the house up!!
I am researching myself on how to change the zoning. I have contacted an attorney to see if he can draw up some new zoning to limit the numbers of people at a property. In addition, he is going to see if it is legal to limit who can rent and the number of houses in our city.
If anyone else has any imput that would help me I would be most grateful. Does anyone have information about restrictions to allow SOME short term rentals?
The fact that I was given a license is disturbing. They gave it to me and I relied on them. They even admitted to making a mistake!
Help,
Elaine
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