COVID-19 Update
Vacation Rentals Resources
On June 1, 2020, the state approved a second amended version of Lee County’s minimum standards regarding out-of-state reservations, which is called a Vacation Rental Safety Plan.
Pursuant to Executive Order 20-123 signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 15, and effective immediately, the following amended measures are required as minimum standards for vacation rentals throughout Lee County that are accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay:
- Reservations will not be permitted nor new guests accepted for check-in from areas identified by Governor DeSantis through Executive Orders as high-risk; reservations made prior to an area being designated as high-risk can be honored. Areas may be added or deleted based upon further Executive Orders by the Governor without the need for further amendment of the plan.
- Shall prohibit rentals to persons traveling internationally.
- On August 6, 2020, travel restrictions on persons coming to Florida from Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York were lifted.
Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais requested the amendment to the previously approved Vacation Rental Safety Plan after county officials received feedback from owners and managers of local properties.
Additionally, the county’s plan includes the following requirements for vacation rentals:
- Shall allow adequate time between the conclusion of a guest stay and the check-in of the next guest stay for appropriate cleaning and sanitation.
- Shall clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the property between each guest stay.
- Shall wash all linens, dishware and other service items available for use by guests between each guest rental.
- Shall provide sufficient soap and surface sanitation supplies for guests to use in the vacation rental property during the guest’s rental period.
- Shall ensure adequate safety protocols are in place and publicly displayed in line with Centers for Disease Control guidance regarding shared or multi-residence amenities such as pools, gyms and other communal spaces.
- Shall follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting their facility, per the CDC site www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
Enforcement and regulation falls under DBPR, which has an Emergency Information Page at www.myfloridalicense.com/emergency.
