FL H0987

Preempts state regulation of vacation rentals including inspection, licensing, and occupancy limits, while prohibiting local governments from prohibiting rentals, imposing occupancy limits, or requiring inspection or licensing.

Allows local regulations only if they apply uniformly to all residential properties regardless of vacation rental status, with local governments bearing burden of proving compliance by clear and convincing evidence.

Requires vacation rental operators to maintain liability insurance coverage equal to long-term rental requirements under chapter 83.

Requires sexual offenders to register with the sheriff's office 48 hours before arrival at a public lodging establishment and mandates operators notify other guests if a sexual offender resides at the property or within 1,000 feet.

Requires vacation rental license information including contact person be made publicly available on the Division of Hotels and Restaurants website and mandates online advertisements display the physical street address and links to sexual offender registries.

Effective date: July 1, 2019.