Kristen Livengood, Public Information Officer
305-680-8226, Livengood-Kristen@monroecounty-fl.gov
MONROE COUNTY SUBMITS VACATION RENTAL PLAN TO DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION FOR APPROVAL
MONROE COUNTY, FL – On Thursday, May 21, Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi submitted Monroe County’s plan for reopening vacation rentals to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) secretary per Governor Executive Order 20-123. It has been received by the DBPR. Monroe County’s plan is in alignment with other counties in Florida whose plans have been approved and, if approved, will allow vacation rentals to resume on June 1 along with hotels and other lodging establishments.
This plan, if approved, provides guidelines for property owners and managers to enhance protective measures for reservations, cleaning requirements, and new protocols for vacation rental housekeepers and property staff.
Under these new guidelines, reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the Governor are to be avoided for the next 30-45 days. Reservations from international guests will not be allowed until further notice.
House cleaning procedures should conform to the new enhanced standards issued by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA.com), CDC, and DBPR. In addition to the enhanced standards, remote check-in and check-outs will be made available, along with printed copies of CDC regulations and guidelines and printed copies of local COVID-19 regulations and restrictions and signage highlighting the new cleaning protocols will be placed on the property. Cleaning and property staff will wear facial coverings and gloves and practice social distancing from each other while on property and maintain a schedule that does not coincide with the guest’s arrival or stay.
In addition to the plan, Gastesi stressed that tourism is the primary economic driver for Monroe County, and allowing vacation rentals to also open will put more residents back to work.
To view the plan, please visit www.monroecountyem.com/covid19 under the “vacation rentals” tab.