🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Cocoa Beach, FL

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

15 Minutes or You're a Guest: Cocoa Beach Sets New Limits on STR Visitors

Cocoa Beach just turned up the heat on short-term rentals—and this time, it’s all about keeping the peace. On Thursday, the city commission gave the green light to another round of restrictions aimed at curbing the ongoing issue of so-called “party houses.” And while Cocoa Beach has already earned the title of Florida’s most expensive city for registering and renewing vacation rentals, it’s clear the local government isn’t hitting the brakes anytime soon.

The big change? The commission approved a new rule that redefines what it means to be a “guest” in a short-term rental. Now, anyone who’s on the property for more than 15 minutes will officially count as a guest. That may sound minor, but in practice, this rule is a game-changer for enforcement. It gives city officials and law enforcement more leverage to act on complaints about noise, overcrowding, and rowdy gatherings. No more gray area when it comes to who’s "just visiting."

The move is part of a larger effort to maintain neighborhood peace while balancing the booming short-term rental industry that’s grown rapidly along Florida’s coastlines. Locals have voiced frustration for years about loud parties, transient guests, and packed driveways in quiet residential areas. And Cocoa Beach is clearly listening.

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This isn’t the first time Cocoa Beach has tightened the reins on STRs, and it probably won’t be the last. With high registration fees already in place, these stricter rules add yet another layer of oversight—and possibly signal what's to come for other beach towns struggling with similar issues.

Property owners will now need to keep a sharper eye on who’s entering their rentals and how long they stay. And for guests? Expect some extra scrutiny if you're just "dropping by."

One thing's for sure: Cocoa Beach is sending a clear message—it’s not about banning short-term rentals, but about setting clear boundaries to make sure they’re compatible with residential life.

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