The VRHA supports common sense legislation for our industry specifically within Volusia County. Vol
Post Hearing Follow-up from the Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia
"A decision in our case will be made by Judge Weston no earlier than December 5, 2022 and no later than December 12, 2022. We will post the decision as soon as we receive it. Thank you to our members and our legal team for their continued efforts."
Richard Feller
President
Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia
It has been a year and a half since we posted about the short term rental issue in Volusia County and while it appears the problem just went away or that we just stopped pursuing this issue is anything but the case. The team at the Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia has been working diligently on our lawsuit against Volusia County and we have finally come to the time where the courts will decide the legality of short term vacation rentals in Volusia County.
As a quick recap, in May of 2021, the VRHA of Volusia ended a five month campaign where we urged our elected officials in Volusia to take action to codify the legality of short term vacation rentals to comply with the 2011 law preempting the regulation of STR to the State of Florida. And while the Volusia County Council admitted that this was a real problem that needed to be corrected, they chose not to take action leaving property owners no other recourse but to start legal proceedings against the County for circumventing Florida's state law.
Over the course of this lawsuit, the VRHA has faced many challenges. We have asked a judge to recuse himself to avoid any conflicts of interest. We have defeated multiple baseless motions to dismiss. And now, at the very end, we face an even bigger challenge of getting a fair ruling in Volusia County as the judge is basically a representative of the county. In a sworn deposition with a current County Councilmember, it was made clear that it would be hard for the VRHA to get a fair trial in Volusia.
But the VRHA has forged forward and has overcome each of the obstacles placed in its path. Our legal team has worked tirelessly to put the best case forward to conclude what every other lawsuit regarding this matter has already settled, which is that Volusia County does not have a pre-existing prohibition of short term vacation rentals and that the regulation of any STR is preempted to the State.
On Monday morning at 9:00 AM at the County Courthouse located at 101 North Alabama Avenue DeLand, FL 32724, Judge Kathryn Weston will be asked to faithfully review this case and make a judgement based solely on case law and facts. It is the hope of the VRHA and our legal team that this issue will finally be properly adjudicated. While we take concern with the County Councilmember's statement about getting a fair trial in Volusia County, we are optimistic that the rule of law will prevail.
All are welcome to attend the proceedings and while we hope for a timely adjudication, we are not sure if a final ruling will be made at the hearing. The VRHA is prepared to make remarks following the hearing either way. We thank everyone for their support and trust in the work of the VRHA.
Richard Feller
President
Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia
Vacation rentals are under attack in EVERY state. Florida has preempted local municipalities from making their own laws and "zoning out" vacation rentals. Some counties have tried to do this and have failed. Some counties, like Volusia County in Florida, are still trying to do this. Our lawsuits will STOP Volusia from continuing to usurp Florida law. The hoteliers and the League of Cities are fighting us every step of the way. Please help us out as we try to restore our rights here in Volusia. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
The VRHA of Volusia has filed two lawsuits which are strong and put … Richard Feller needs your support for Help us to finish the STR fight here in Volusia!
The fate of over a thousand short-term rental properties in Volusia County will be in the hands of the county council Tuesday.
Just released from the NSB Realtors Association
After being cooped up in the city and juggling hectic work schedules, busy parents Fatuma and Ryan decided to take a well-deserved break in the rural town of...
London-based photographer Cian and his brother were craving some quality time with their Mum after many months apart. They found the perfect getaway, and a s...
After the birth of their second child, photographer Paz and her husband Matias wanted to take a trip, just the two of them, to reconnect and rekindle their s...
Photographer Siân’s daughters, Alice and Martha, have always shared a special bond. So when the three of them took a trip to the countryside to stay in Super...
When Alex and his wife decided to take their young son on his first big trip, they headed to Ile de Re, a seaside getaway just a train ride away from Paris. ...
Australian photographer Lisa set out for the countryside with two goals in mind: open space for her young boys to roam free and some time well spent in natur...
Carol found Jacopo’s dog-friendly Stone House in Miano, Italy for a trip to celebrate a 40th birthday with her husband, friends, and Golden Retriever Miso --...
Photographer Cole set out for the New England coast for a weekend of surfing and llama spotting with his wife and two daughters—it was their first trip as a ...
Adraint was finishing up his bachelors degree and wanted to take a trip with the friends he’d got to know throughout college as one last experience together ...
Anne couldn’t see her mum and sister for four months during lockdown as they lived on the other side of the city. When Melbourne reached zero daily cases and...
County of Volusia - You don't have to reinvent the wheel and you don't have to believe the false statements from people like Ben Johnson and the hoteliers that any ordinance change prevents you from regulating. It is just the opposite. Here is a perfect example of good government at work with BOTH sides of the issue to come up with common sense legislation that works for their County. Let's hope you do the same on Tuesday!
Great OpEd by Joe Hannoush in the NJ today!
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinion/letters/2021/05/14/volusias-short-term-rental-ban-erodes-property-rights/5076254001/
Government does not give you the choice to use your home as a short term rental. It can only take that choice away.
Great read today!
Hi, kids! It’s time once again to turn a jaundiced eye toward the newsmakers of the day – the winners and losers – who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life, or detracte…
FINAL VOTE on MAY 18, 2021 - Be there to save vacation rentals in Volusia County!
If this had been an STR it would have been front page news in Bethune Beach.
The mother says around a dozen shots were fired, as the couple tried protecting their baby inside their hotel room.
Turtle nesting season officially starts May 1 with hundreds of sea turtles emerging from the surf to lay eggs on the beach.
Richard Feller, President of the VRHA will be a panelist during the 3:00 PM session titled - "In The Trenches" Vacation Rentals & Local Regulations. Please sign up to listen. It should be very informative.
Sign Up Now To Attend A Zoom Meeting On Florida Advocacy! LAST CALL Across the US and all across Florida local governments are trying to over-regulate your vacation rental homes. Hear our presenters t
The CEO of Airbnb says the company needs millions of new hosts as many Americans make plans to travel domestically this season.
https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0ZLVPbk2?pd=08uq0eJR&lang=en_US&s=i0
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Port Orange City Council member has announced a 2022 bid for an expected open seat on the Volusia County Council. Port Orange Council member Chase Tramont launches bid for District 2 position. District 2 Volusia County Council member Billie Wheeler says she won't run again...
Property owners scramble after Volusia County reverses order on short term rentals
https://www.wftv.com/news/video-property-owners-scramble-after-volusia-county-reverses-order-short-term-rentals/ac414043-e0e1-40ed-b925-34c62d30b5a0/
Every industry has its problems. We never think of everything but here is a piece that shows why some people are welcoming other accommodation options when visiting Volusia County.
https://www.manuelthompson.com/hotel-accidents-in-florida-what-to-know/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
Read this blog and contact an experienced personal injury attorney for more information regarding hotel accidents in Florida.
Please attend this meeting and encourage the obvious. The entire Loop is historically significant. It was home to our earliest settlers, plantation owners, and a place of captivity and forced labor for many slaves. The slaves are buried somewhere in this area, we should find the slave cemetery. There are remains of the original Old Kings Highway through this property.
Historic Preservation Board to meet March 23
Volusia County’s Historic Preservation Board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, in the second-floor county council chambers of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand.
Members and staff will discuss the historic significance of a portion of the Plantation Oaks property and receive an update on Historic Preservation Ordinance revisions.
The public is invited to attend and participate in person or virtually at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regi.../8928349291545057038
The Historic Preservation Board is appointed by the Volusia County Council to issue certificates of designation for eligible historic resources such as structures, archaeological sites and historic districts; and certificates of appropriateness for demolition, alteration, relocation and new construction. The board advises the County Council on matters related to historic preservation policy, including use, management and maintenance of county-owned historic resources.
For more information, contact Planner Trevor Bedford at [email protected].
VRHA Praises County Council Decision to Extend Suspension of Short-Term Rental Violations
https://vrhaofvolusia.org/press-releases
SUPPORTING FAIR REGULATION OF SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS IN VOLUSIA COUNTY
Hotels are regulated by the state. I wonder if this one is a member of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County
http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/stories/nuisance-property-owner-arrested-by-police,9539
Daytona Beach, FL - The owner of a Daytona Beach motel is facing charges after letting narcotics related activity continue on his property for months, even after the same motel has been raided …
We are over 1000 signatures. Our opposition has ramped up their efforts and are aggressively flooding our leaders with misinformation. PLEASE show your support for vacation rentals in
County of Volusia - Airbnb Vrbo Vacasa Shorttermrentalz
http://chng.it/kNfdFY74
Show Your Support for Vacation Rentals in Volusia County
https://vrhaofvolusia.org/tourism-update
SUPPORTING FAIR REGULATION OF SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS IN VOLUSIA COUNTY
Please sign our petition to once again allow vacation rentals in Volusia County.
91 signatures are needed! Show Your Support for Vacation Rentals in Volusia County
A great write up by Jarleene Almenas. It is not often that the topic of vacation rentals is reported in a non-biased and factual way. This is a great first hand account of the day and we really appreciate that.
In the meantime, Volusia County will cease code enforcement action on short-term rental properties for two weeks.
"A majority of the respondents feel that short-term rentals have won over hotel-goers, with this new user base unlikely to book traditional hotel stays once the crisis has passed."
As we have told County of Volusia, are what want post-pandemic!
https://shorttermrentalz.com/news/hotels-incorporate-rentals/ #.YCZWQO4fix8.twitter
A survey by Guesty reveals 60 per cent believe hotels will incorporate alternative accommodation options. Read more on Short Term Rentalz.
Richard Feller, President of the VRHA attended and spoke at this meeting. Using revenue numbers from 2019, he showed that vacation rentals make up about 15% of the TDT tax revenues the County of Volusia collects. Now, as of January, 2020, these TDT taxes are paid directly to County of Volusia directly from the two major platforms, Airbnb and Vrbo, so it is assumed that the 15% number will increase quite drastically when the numbers are posted in April.
Our three CVB's are doing amazing work driving people to Volusia and after meeting with them, the VRHA can also say that vacation rentals are a much bigger part of the economic tourism engine than they get credit for.
As you can see from the article, Chairwoman Billie Wheeler wrapped up the meeting, saying, “I just think Volusia is so fortunate." and she is correct. Our CVB's are doing all they can to promote Volusia County as a great place to work, play and visit. But she also said, "I want to thank all of the hoteliers for making people feel safe." This statement shows that even our elected leaders don't fully understand the impact that vacation rentals have on the tourism industry.
Vacation rental owners go to great lengths to provide amazing CLEAN and SAFE lodging for guests visiting our great area. Hoteliers are not the only lodging option in Volusia County and our elected officials should be promoting ALL available lodging options to vacationers.
Volusia County tourism leaders were cautiously optimistic for 2021 while acknowledging continued safety needs will continue to curtail travel.
Local governments throughout Florida are stripping private property rights from homeowners that have the constitutional right to rent their homes on a short term basis. Over regulation, excessive fee's and stringent inspections have caused a constitutional crisis in our state. It's time for consiste...
Richard Feller, President of the Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia speaks to the Volusia County Tourist Development Council about vacation rentals and their contribution to the local economy, even without any representation on the three County Tourist Advisory Boards.
Read what was said to the council here:
http://www.vrhaofvolusia.org/tdcmeeting
Richard Feller, President of the Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia speaks to the Volusia County Tourist Development Council about vacation rentals and their contribution to the local economy, even without any representation on the three County Tourist Advisory Boards.
Read what was said to the council here:
http://www.vrhaofvolusia.org/tdcmeeting
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