TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Janai Bowens, Neighborhood and Community Services
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: November 2, 2026
Title
ORDINANCE NO. 48-26: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, REPEALING CHAPTER 117, “LANDLORD PERMITS”, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, IN ITS ENTIRETY AND READOPTING THE SAME AS “VACATION RENTALS” TO PROVIDE FOR VACATION RENTAL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VACATION RENTALS OPERATING WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (FIRST READING)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Commission approve Ordinance No. 48-26 on First Reading, repealing Chapter 117, “Landlord Permits,” of the City Code and readopting Chapter 117 as “Vacation Rentals” to establish registration, permitting, inspection, operational, and enforcement requirements for vacation rentals operating within the City of Delray Beach.
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Background:
The proposed ordinance establishes a regulatory framework for vacation rental properties. The ordinance replaces the existing landlord permitting process with a vacation rental registration process that identifies property ownership, establishes a designated Responsible Party, and requires compliance with applicable zoning, building, fire, and life-safety regulations.
The proposed ordinance includes the following key provisions:
Annual Registration: Requires qualifying vacation rental properties to obtain a City-issued permit,defined as a Vacation Rental Permit, subject to annual expiration on September 30.
Responsible Party Designation: Requires property owners to designate a Responsible Party who serves as the City's registered contact and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fire and Life-Safety Compliance: Requires compliance with applicable Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code provisions, including smoke and carbon monoxide detection, fire extinguishers, emergency egress, and occupancy limitations.
Operational Standards: Establishes requirements for parking, noise, solid waste collection, advertising, occupancy, and the posting of emergency and regulatory information.
Inspection Requirements: Requires an initial inspection before permit issuance and establishes procedures for reinspections and correction of identified violations.
Enforcement and Penalties: Authorizes enforcement through applicable City Code provisions, civil citations, and other legally available remedies, including permit suspension or revocation for violations.
The proposed ordinance establishes shared responsibility among City departments based on their respective regulatory authority, creating an interdepartmental process designed to ensure compliance.
City Attorney Review:
The proposed ordinance has been prepared for review as to form and legal sufficiency by the City Attorney's Office.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Application and reinspection fees will be established by separate City Commission resolution
Timing of Request:
N/A