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Okaloosa submits “Short-Term Vacation Rental Safety Plan” to state for approval

Okaloosa County staff have worked since yesterday’s announcement of the possibility of reopening vacation rentals to visitors by Governor Ron DeSantis to create an acceptable plan for moving forward with rentals. After coordinating individually with commissioners, County Administrator John Hofstad made the decision to proceed with submitting a plan to the Governor for approval today […]

Okaloosa County staff have worked since yesterday’s announcement of the possibility of reopening vacation rentals to visitors by Governor Ron DeSantis to create an acceptable plan for moving forward with rentals.

After coordinating individually with commissioners, County Administrator John Hofstad made the decision to proceed with submitting a plan to the Governor for approval today

“The plan is largely consistent with similar plans created in Walton and Santa Rosa counties and meets the guidelines provided by DBPR late yesterday,” wrote Commissioner Boyles in an email. “The plan prohibits renting to visitors from several states (including Louisiana) unless the stay length exceeds the 14-day self quarantine requirement currently in place by the Governor.”

The county will now await for approval of the plan from the state, however, the TDC will still meet on Monday to review the plan and can still suggest adjustments.

“The Commission will meet on Tuesday and presumably ratify the decision to submit the request and the plan and direct any adjustments to the plan if needed,” said Boyles. 

According to Okaloosa County, the plan still has to be voted on by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday. There is no timeline yet how how fast the state will approve the plans submitted from any county.

Here is what the plan currently looks like:

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Community Comments

“Praying firvofficer and his family”
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“Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make”
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“No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.”
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“SPC beach bars have been successful for Decades. We have a large loyal and captive group! The Sand Flea family of restauranteurs have ways succeeded and will drawer other beach...”
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“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
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“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
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“I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another "charter boat hub", please quit trying to make Fort...”
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“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
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