Judge to rule on short-term vacation rentals in Clearwater Beach

By: Dave Balut

Clearwater Beach, Florida - It’s now up to a judge to decide a debate over short-term vacation rentals in Clearwater Beach.

Real estate broker John Meek Jr. has owned short-term rental homes in Clearwater Beach since 1994. But in 2003, the City of Clearwater rewrote an ordinance prohibiting rentals of less than 30 days.

Meek is one of 30 property owners suing the City of Clearwater. He’s asking a judge to grandfather in his rental homes so he can continue leasing one week at a time.

John Meek Jr., Owns Short-Term Rental Homes:

“And I think it’s a private property right that I can rent my property as I want, and not have the city tell me what I need to do and have people from the city knocking on the doors of my house and asking people what they’re doing there and soforth.”

Clearwater Beach homeowner David Ramos takes pictures of problems at some vacation homes. He says there are too many cars, too many people and too much trash.

A judge is expected to rule on the short-term rentals in a couple of weeks.