MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — A referendum on the August 23 midterm election ballot will give Marco Islanders the chance to decide how the city governs short-term rental properties.
Here’s what you need to know:
Voting yes will increase restrictions surrounding rental property ownership.
This includes:
- Occupancy limitations (depending on size of home)
- Mandatory safety checks (such as smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, etc.)
- Landline phones (to call emergency services)
“It’s really being done to bring sanity to our neighborhoods,” said Ed Issler, who lived on Marco Island for 25 years and has been advocating in favor of the referendum.
Issler cited numerous issues with short-term guests on the island, included traffic, congestion of beaches, garbage, and noise.
“They’re voting on restoring our community. That’s what they are really voting on,” said Issler.
Voting no will maintain Marco Island’s current laws for short-term rentals as they stand right now.
“If no for the short-term rentals we wouldn’t be sitting here right now,” said Jim Chamberlin, who owns Marco Island Bike Rentals. He’s also been a resident of the island with his family for nearly 10 years.
“It definitely is a problem (referring to the noise complaints), but the referendum is definitely not the solution because it would devastate the island. It would shut it down,” said Chamberlin.
At this time, the City of Marco Island has declined to comment on the vote saying its job is solely to certify the results, regardless of outcome.
That vote is on the August 23rd general midterm ballot.
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