Voters Approve Short Term Rental Referendum

Like so many communities around Florida, Marco Island residents have been vocal about the impact of short-term rentals on their quality of life. Concerns surround loud partying, trash and parking issues, and reduced availability of long-term rentals for workforce housing.

These challenges have been seen across the United States, and especially here in Florida, which has become a target for larger corporate entities that swoop into areas and overwhelm both small and large communities. 

The ongoing short-term rental debate on Marco Island mirrors those in other Florida communities. Marco experienced negative aspects from outside influences that poured money into advertising on social media, mailers and other outlets. Some of the rhetoric included unsubstantiated claims, such as if a short-term rental ordinance would deny grandmothers access to their grandchildren. 

When residents went to the polls on Tuesday, August 23, they sent a message to their elected officials. By a vote of 56.9% in favor of the short-term rental registration, residents overwhelmingly approved the 17-page Short Term Rental Referendum. The vote came in with 4,304 in favor and 3,264 opposed.

The three Marco Island precincts reported no problems on election day and voting proceeded without incident.