Vacation Rental News & Info Regarding COVID-19

My question is - are the hotel / motels/ resorts following these guidelines today? I see a lot of tourists here now and they are staying somewhere. My guess hotel/ motels. Are they following these rules? Probably not.

Yes I believe they are. They are taking it seriously and want their guests to be healthy and happy. They rely on repeat business and good referrals.

As to your other point, go by WaterColor town center today and you'll see a hundred bikes by the beach access and hundreds of people on the beach. Those people aren't staying at the Inn.

Yes I believe they are. They are taking it seriously and want their guests to be healthy and happy. They rely on repeat business and good referrals.

As to your other point, go by WaterColor town center today and you'll see a hundred bikes by the beach access and hundreds of people on the beach. Those people aren't staying at the Inn.

I agree with you. We are owners here in WC & have been here for a couple of months. I have seen the crowds getting heavier. Out walking we have noticed cars with guest tags in rear view mirrors. I know our rental company is not taking any chances. Where r the rental tags coming from? I do know Vacasa has says they are renting to residents of FL. but these cars are from TN./GA& SC..... we just had a house on our street have 1 family leave who btw left trash everywhere & another move their suitcases in 2 hours later. I’m over it. We do rent our house & the income is certainly helpful to our investment but my husband and I are hoping it doesn’t get approved right away.

I agree with you. We are owners here in WC & have been here for a couple of months. I have seen the crowds getting heavier. Out walking we have noticed cars with guest tags in rear view mirrors. I know our rental company is not taking any chances. Where r the rental tags coming from? I do know Vacasa has says they are renting to residents of FL. but these cars are from TN./GA& SC..... we just had a house on our street have 1 family leave who btw left trash everywhere & another move their suitcases in 2 hours later. I’m over it. We do rent our house & the income is certainly helpful to our investment but my husband and I are hoping it doesn’t get approved right away.

I suspect most of it is owners, families, extended families, friends, and "friends".

"Friends" being renters who are hiding it. Renting from owners, going behind the back of their rental manager and/or VRBO and AirBnB, etc. I wouldn't doubt that some rental companies are complicit, even if they aren't actually doing the bookings and handling transactions.
This goes on a lot in normal times also. A lot of owners pay back e,employees and contractors in their home towns with letting them use their beach house. Probably a lot of that going on right now with people not working.

BTW, if VACASA is renting to anyone, Florida residents or not, they are doing wrong.

I suspect most of it is owners, families, extended families, friends, and "friends".

"Friends" being renters who are hiding it. Renting from owners, going behind the back of their rental manager and/or VRBO and AirBnB, etc. I wouldn't doubt that some rental companies are complicit, even if they aren't actually doing the bookings and handling transactions.
This goes on a lot in normal times also. A lot of owners pay back e,employees and contractors in their home towns with letting them use their beach house. Probably a lot of that going on right now with people not working.

BTW, if VACASA is renting to anyone, Florida residents or not, they are doing wrong.

We rent from friends who have a house there and we're not hiding anything.

You must not be in SoWal and already can see we are busting at the seams with visitors - owners, friends, illegal renters, whatever ... I don't doubt that as soon as rentals are open we will be full as always. Lots of people sick of their home and hometowns out there and lots of people who don't even know what a mask is.

Bob, I am here, live here and recognize the influx of people - My only point is that these "Plans" provided by both counties lack substance and are clearly just fluff, especially Okaloosa county. I also agree this is a probably a done deal after Memorial Day in addition to another post I saw regarding how WC's plans to the state MAY heave been developed outside of the Sunshine law..

We rent from friends who have a house there and we're not hiding anything.

Not hiding? What's the address?

Please be advised that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold an Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Walton County Courthouse, located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.
The purpose of this meeting is for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to discuss and take appropriate on the lifting of the Short-Term Rental Ban.

This meeting will be open to the public on a limited basis in order to adhere to proper social distancing protocols.
Due to the limited seating capacity, this meeting will also be accessible to the public via “Zoom”.
To participate via Zoom, please see the directions that follow.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now

Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: 1 312 626 6799
1 929 205 6099
1 301 715 8592
1 346 248 7799
1 669 900 6833
1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 891 4524 7727

Walton County Chamber of Commerce
May 19

BREAKING: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Gulf, Franklin & Bay County can now reopen vacation rentals.

We are awaiting final details on timelines from DBPR and will post updates as we receive them.

Please be advised that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold an Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Walton County Courthouse, located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to discuss and take appropriate on the lifting of the Short-Term Rental Ban.

This meeting will be open to the public on a limited basis in order to adhere to proper social distancing protocols.

Due to the limited seating capacity, this meeting will also be accessible to the public via “Zoom”.
To participate via Zoom, please see the directions that follow.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now

Terrible news!
100% short term rentals
50% restaurants. Better get your groceries and essentials now

Walton County Chamber of Commerce
May 19

BREAKING: Great news! Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Gulf, Franklin & Bay County can now reopen vacation rentals! A special thanks to Secretary Beshears & Governor DeSantis for making it happen today!

We are awaiting final details on timelines from DBPR and will post updates as we receive them.

Please be advised that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold an Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Walton County Courthouse, located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to discuss and take appropriate on the lifting of the Short-Term Rental Ban.

This meeting will be open to the public on a limited basis in order to adhere to proper social distancing protocols.

Due to the limited seating capacity, this meeting will also be accessible to the public via “Zoom”.
To participate via Zoom, please see the directions that follow.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting now

Terrible news!
100% short term rentals
50% restaurants. Better get your groceries and essentials now

Considering that the rental houses in our neighborhood seem to be full of people, golf carts are choking our roads at summer levels and beach accesses are overflowing, I think the people are already here. The formality of exchanging money for lodging will now be back in the open. I will be interested to see what the public health outcome is. :rolleyes:

I have just consulted my friend who owns the house we rent and, as much as they would like the business, we decided it wasn't a good idea. Maybe things will be better in the fall.

From friend, writer and local Sarah Robertson. I hope we can be as helpful and positive as her words. We all care about our community as we welcome visitors to the world's most beautiful beaches. We are all in this together...

Hi friends, I know many of you visit 30A. What a Spring it has been. We have all been stressed and unnerved by this pandemic. As a nine year local, I wanted to share a few thoughts for when you vacation here in our small town this season:

Beaches were closed this Spring in order to slow the spread of the virus and protect our small, regionally-reliant, and vulnerable hospital from becoming overwhelmed. Thankfully this largely worked, and we reopened beaches in May. But please know many locals are still worried we will see a new spike in cases. Working together with our visitors can mitigate those concerns and keep everyone healthy.

Pay close attention to new procedures and policies. This isn’t a business-as-usual Summer season, so please pay close attention to all our new local requirements and requests.

Socially distancing is much harder here. It’s a relatively small area with limited grocery resources, tighter restaurant and retail “footprints”, and busy public beach accesses. You will need to “pack your patience” and please be extra mindful so you and your group can stay 6 feet or more from others.

Speaking of packing, please plan ahead. Note: we run low on the same items your bigger city has had trouble stocking. If you are driving, definitely plan to bring paper products and cleaning supplies. Our stores often are out of toilet paper. At times we have seen shortages on some meats and dairy too. If there is something you can’t live without, it is better to plan to pack it.

Masks are appreciated when in indoor public spaces. Some businesses are even requiring customers wear them. Please pack yours and wear when appropriate.

Thank you for reading this. Bottom line, we want you to feel welcomed and we want you to safely enjoy your trip. Feel free to message me with any questions - I am happy to help share advice and info from a local’s perspective.

Watching the meeting:

Callers from Louisiana upset they can't rent. It was explained that is a continued minimum 45-day restriction from the governor.

Did they say what happens if Texas (or I suppose Georgia is at risk) pops the caseload figure? I assume they don't really have a plan for that and would just ignore it.

Bring groceries and supplies with you!

Bring disinfectant.

Disinfect your rental when you arrive.

Disinfect your rental when you leave.

Leave excess disinfectant for cleaners and next guests.

Thank you for helping our community!

CDC disagrees with this. There has been no real evidence that this is surface spread. It's sick people coughing in confined spaces by and large.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Transmission

CDC disagrees with this. There has been no real evidence that this is surface spread. It's sick people coughing in confined spaces by and large.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Transmission

Baloney

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Baloney

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Page last reviewed April 2. The CDC updated guidelines on surfaces came out today, the news cycle is very fast.

Edit to note that the walk back on the surface stuff appears to have been happening for the past 6 days starting with some updated research on surface spread. There seems to have been a strengthening of the language surrounding how surface spread is low risk in the last 24 hours, though I can't seem to get a snapshot of the edits so this is from memory.

Maintain adequate time between the conclusion of a guest stay and the check-in of the next guest stay for appropriate cleaning and sanitation.
EO 20-86
Louisiana travelers MUST quarantine.....

WALTON COUNTY BCC APPROVES LIFTING OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL BAN

During today's Emergency Meeting the Walton County BCC voted unanimously to lift the short-term rental ban effective immediately under guidelines approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

To view Walton County's Short-Term Rental Plan, visit https://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/38227/Walton-County-Short-Term-Rental-Plan?bidId=

Per the Governor’s executive order, reservations for dates within the next 45 days may not be accepted for renters coming from COVID-19 hotspots which include Louisiana, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

For more information or if you have any questions, please call Walton County's COVID-19 hotline at (850) 892-8392.

In the BCC meeting yesterday there was a question about pools and a commissioner said pools were limited to 10 people. I think he was confused with the 10 people in a group rule. Anyone know?

WALTON COUNTY BCC APPROVES LIFTING OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL BAN

During today's Emergency Meeting the Walton County BCC voted unanimously to lift the short-term rental ban effective immediately under guidelines approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

To view Walton County's Short-Term Rental Plan, visit https://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/38227/Walton-County-Short-Term-Rental-Plan?bidId=

Per the Governor’s executive order, reservations for dates within the next 45 days may not be accepted for renters coming from COVID-19 hotspots which include Louisiana, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

For more information or if you have any questions, please call Walton County's COVID-19 hotline at (850) 892-8392.

Does the CDC clearly define states that are hotspot states? Are those four above the ones we are specifically not suppose to rent to? The map I saw on the CDC website was vague. It showed hotspots in every single state and i guess the diameter of the circles is suppose to tell you how many cases were in each state, but it would be whole lot more helpful if it showed the regions in which states were hard hit.

Does the CDC clearly define states that are hotspot states? Are those four above the ones we are specifically not suppose to rent to? The map I saw on the CDC website was vague. It showed hotspots in every single state and i guess the diameter of the circles is suppose to tell you how many cases were in each state, but it would be whole lot more helpful if it showed the regions in which states were hard hit.

The feedback we got from our host was it would be state to state based at the caseload of 700/100k. There is no consideration of whether Dallas has 700/100k while the rest of texas is at 180/100k. There are several counties in Texas over the limit. Most of them near the border with LA. They will be allowed to make a reservation.

Once the threshold is reached it is a 45 day hold from the latest most point.

There is nearly no indication of how this will be enforced. The IT systems of VRBO and Airbnb would need to be altered and there is no indication this is happening. They may require the hosts to do a reality check, I suppose.

There is also no indication of what happens if you make a reservation, and then later your state pops the number. Nowhere does it say you can't check-in. Only that you can't make a reservation from that point for 45 days.

The feedback we got from our host was it would be state to state based at the caseload of 700/100k. There is no consideration of whether Dallas has 700/100k while the rest of texas is at 180/100k. There are several counties in Texas over the limit. Most of them near the border with LA. They will be allowed to make a reservation.

Once the threshold is reached it is a 45 day hold from the latest most point.

There is nearly no indication of how this will be enforced. The IT systems of VRBO and Airbnb would need to be altered and there is no indication this is happening. They may require the hosts to do a reality check, I suppose.

There is also no indication of what happens if you make a reservation, and then later your state pops the number. Nowhere does it say you can't check-in. Only that you can't make a reservation from that point for 45 days.

The last time I did a "reality check", it bounced, badly.:blink:

The feedback we got from our host was it would be state to state based at the caseload of 700/100k. There is no consideration of whether Dallas has 700/100k while the rest of texas is at 180/100k. There are several counties in Texas over the limit. Most of them near the border with LA. They will be allowed to make a reservation.

Once the threshold is reached it is a 45 day hold from the latest most point.

There is nearly no indication of how this will be enforced. The IT systems of VRBO and Airbnb would need to be altered and there is no indication this is happening. They may require the hosts to do a reality check, I suppose.

There is also no indication of what happens if you make a reservation, and then later your state pops the number. Nowhere does it say you can't check-in. Only that you can't make a reservation from that point for 45 days.

Are you saying that on the day a state reports 700k, then vacationers from that state cannot arrive here for 45 days? Does anybody have a site where they give the current case numbers state by state? My moral dilemmas keep compounding day by day. It would be great to have some definitive word before I break some people's hearts.