Every time the subject of STR's come up, the same folks seem to post their quasi-legal opinions and spout the delusion position, that STR's can or will be or should be, outlawed.
The Tourist trade contributed about $130 BILLION to Florida's economy in 2023.
Tourism generated $16 BILLION in state and local tax revenue.
The State of Florida has zero interest in curtailing STR's. It would bankrupt the state.
All of which contribute to the reason the state has adopted regulations that prohibit cities, towns & counties, from messing with the STR business. They can regulate (to an extent), but cannot prohibit, nor adopt regulations regarding "duration".
& for all you folks who say that occupancy can be regulated, by requiring the owner to be present, that just isn't factual. Some communities are trying that approach, but they're all getting dragged into court and the smart money says they're going to lose.
The folks (same ones all the time) that say the Developer could, would, should control STR's, don't understand the Developer's business model.
Folks keep saying, "the Developer is only interested in selling homes". That statement shows a lack of understanding of business and the Developer's business model.
Every square inch of commercial space in The Villages, is owned by the Developer. At its core, Commercial real estate demand is driven by one and only one factor. The amount of business a company can do, that's location driven. In this instance, "location driven", means (3) things. Location, demographic and population.
If the Developer woke up tomorrow and said ... "no more rentals in TV", what would happen? The value of his commercial holdings would tank over-night. 30-40% of the potential customers of the various businesses, would be gone.
The numbers are probably worst than I'm guessing, because renters/vacationers spend more money than residents. More dining out, more shopping, more golf, more of everything. Unless it was to the Developer's interests, why would he/she get involved in the quagmire of STR regulation?
The only possible change in in the rental/STR side of The Villages, would be if the CCD's took some tighter control over Guest Passes & (non)-Resident ID's. Considering the Developer essentially controls the CDD's, that's fairly unlikely. Then again, I've heard some people have been struck by lightening, twice.
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