Vacation Rentals & Condominium Living: A Dichotomy?

By Isaac Aelion, Commissioner

(Friday, June 29, 2018) – The tourism industry is an important part of the Sunny Isles Beach economy. While the City’s hotels are a natural venue for tourists to stay in, vacation rentals in condominiums are becoming more popular for lengthier stays. Increasingly so, short-term vacation rentals in condominiums are affecting the quality of residential living.

Many condominium homeowners are complaining that these short-term rentals are causing problems with security due to potential unregistered individuals accessing the condominium. Homeowners are also voicing concerns about the short-term renters bringing in individuals with undesirable behavior. Vacation rentals in single family homes within the City had been previously regulated as businesses. In a recent commission meeting, the City adopted an ordinance requiring all rentals under six months within condominiums to register with the City and acquire a business license. Like with single family homes, this will allow for oversight by code compliance to address the possible abuses, which are frequently occurring as a result of the short-term rentals.