Popular Florida beach town cracks down on noise, trash and traffic while weighing tighter vacation rental rules

A popular Florida beach community is weighing tighter rules for its short-term vacation rentals after full-time residents have raised concerns about visitors’ noise, overflowing trash, and parking complications.The proposal under consideration for Pensacola Beach could create a registry for vacation rentals.It could require owners to designate someone who can be reached 24/7 when problems arise, according to reports.Rhonda Dorfman, president of Pensacola Beach Advocates and a full-time resident of the island, told Fox News Digital that one concern is giving law enforcement a clear point of contact when complaints are made at rental properties.“The sheriff’s deputies have a very difficult time finding out who’s in charge here,” Dorfman said, noting that calls can involve complaints about noise and underage drinking.She said many problems are tied to larger vacation homes that can accommodate dozens of guests.“It’s not the three- and four-person families that come out to the beach,” Dorfman said. Instead, she said, some homes “sleep 30 or 40 people — and that is where we’re getting the problems.”Large groups can also put pressure on parking and trash collection, she said.“If you have a home that sleeps 30 or 40 people, even if you put five people in a car, that’s six cars,” Dorfman said.Trash left outside between guest checkouts and scheduled collection days has also become a concern, she indicated.“That trash sits out there in the heat.

It stinks.It’s ugly,” she said.Noise can become another issue at night, with Pensacola Beach’s noise ordinance taking effect at 10 p.m., according to Dorfman.Still, she noted that vacationers come to Pensacola Beach to enjoy themselves during the summer.“You work 50 weeks out of the year, you save up for your vacation, and you want to have a good time,” she said.“We know you’re here on vacation, and we want you to have a wonderful time, but you are in a residential community,” D...