Yes, Florida is open to tourists in some areas. Hotels are open statewide. Vacation rentals have began opening in several counties. Other Florida counties are following their lead by submitting safety plans to Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation. These plans must be approved before vacation rentals can reopen on a county-by-county basis. Important to note, Governor DeSantis has ordered New Yorkers and travelers from other hot spots to self-quarantine.
Is Florida allowing short term rentals? Yes, in some select counties. Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation has updated their very own website. This link is the most updated source to check if vacation rentals are allowed in your county.
As of May 20, 2020 these Florida counties have re-opened vacation rental operations:
- Bay
- Charlotte
- Duval
- Escambia
- Franklin
- Gulf
- Lee
- Levy
- Nassau
- Okaloosa
- Osceola
- Pinellas
- Santa Rosa
- St. Johns
- Wakulla
- Walton
Governor DeSantis has communicated that the remaining Florida counties can submit a County Safety Plan. Once approved, those counties will also reopen.
Vacation rentals in Key West and the Florida Keys have planned to remove the roadblock and reopen on June 1.
Executive Order 20-123 issued on May 15, 2020 recommends safety measures and best practices.
Effective May 18, 2020 the following measures are recommended as the minimum for vacation rentals that are accepting reservations and guests for any length
- Maintain adequate time between the conclusion of a guest stay and the check-in of the
next guest stay for appropriate cleaning and sanitation. - Clean and disinfect all frequently-touched surfaces in the property between each guest
stay. - Wash all linens, dishware, and other service items available for use by guests between
each guest rental. - Provide sufficient soap and surface sanitation supplies for guests to utilize in the vacation
rental property during the guest’s rental period. - Ensure adequate safety protocols are in place and publicly displayed, in line with CDC
guidance, regarding shared or multi-residence amenities such as pools, gyms, and other
communal spaces.
Effective May 18, 2020, the following best practices are also recommended for vacation rentals that are accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay:
- Use mobile platforms for customer service and communication with guests, including the
acceptance of payments by mobile or electronic methods. - Minimize direct guest contact with property owners or managers through remote check-in
and check-out procedures. - Post signage or other notices regarding the cleaning practices that are completed prior to
each guest stay. - Display signage or notices to guests in the rental property to frequently remind guests to
take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the wiping and sanitation of
touched surfaces.
Having signage and displays is part of following the rules, helping maintain safety and standards of our industry, and to protect others from spreading the virus. If you need signs, we offer affordable signs for every owner, host, and property manager.
