🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Cape Coral, FL

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

Cape Coral STR Panel Kicks Off with Calls for Balance and Better Solutions

Cape Coral isn’t done talking short-term rentals—not by a long shot. In the wake of two failed city ordinances that would’ve shaken up the local STR market, a new Vacation Rental Advisory Group met for the first time Friday to sort out how to move forward.

Formed by Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra who spearheaded the original proposals, the group brings together 18 stakeholders from across the community. There are property owners, realtors, enforcement officers, STR critics, and even neighbors caught in the middle of rental-heavy blocks.

Nelson-Lastra, acknowledging how divisive the last round of proposals was, said she launched the group to open dialogue and reimagine what effective regulation might look like. “I want to see if we need to make changes and what those changes look like,” she told the group.

The prior proposal would have hiked the STR registration fee from a one-time $35 to $600 per year, and granted police the authority to evict guests from non-compliant properties. Though city officials said the plan could generate $6 million annually with $120 per unit directed to enforcement, the plan drew sharp criticism and was ultimately scrapped.

But the issues behind the plan remain. Enforcement struggles, neighbor complaints, and policy blind spots all surfaced during the group’s first session. Code Compliance Manager Todd Hoagland pointed to problems with guests leaving early on weekend getaways despite a seven-night minimum requirement. Loopholes like that are tough to close without more robust oversight.

Hoagland also named parking on lawns, excessive noise, and overflowing trash as routine headaches and admitted the city simply doesn’t have enough officers to stay on top of it all. With STRs scattered across a wide area, each officer juggles about 300 properties.

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There’s also the question of fairness. Should long-term rentals chip in to fund enforcement? Should owners be required to hire local property managers to ensure accountability? Those were just a few ideas floated on Friday. Longtime resident Frank Perry, whose home sits between two STRs, summed up the emotional toll.

“It does change the nature of the neighborhood,” he said. “It’s an enormous amount of stress.”

Despite the tension, many on the panel including former councilmember Gloria Tate said the moment is ripe for STR managers to step up, communicate better, and collaborate on solutions.

Next month’s meeting will continue the discussion. While nothing’s set in stone, Cape Coral’s latest move shows the city is committed to tackling STR issues head-on – this time, with more community voices in the mix.

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