Unpermitted short-term rentals (Airbnbs)
Summary
Sanford has roughly 300 active Airbnb-style rentals, up 42% in a year, and its pre-2011 code lets it ban them in residential zones — a power most Florida cities lost. But any code change hands that power back to the state permanently. Commissioners leaned toward keeping the current code and handling noise, parking, and nuisance complaints one at a time.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
The city currently collects no business tax, registration fees, or tourist development tax from short-term rentals, which hotel owners say is unfair competition.
Property owners who rent homes short-term and visitors get flexibility, while neighbors currently only deal with occasional noise and parking complaints.
Residents worry about losing neighborhood character, and long-term renters lose housing stock — every Airbnb is one less house someone can lease.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Live From the City of Sanford City Commission Meeting @ 7pm part — June 22, 2026
Sanford has roughly 300 active Airbnb-style rentals, up 42% in a year, and its pre-2011 code lets it ban them in residential zones — a power most Florida cities lost. But any code change hands that power back to the state permanently. Commissioners leaned toward keeping the current code and handling noise, parking, and nuisance complaints one at a time.
Live From the City of Sanford City Commission Work Session Meeting @ — June 8, 2026
Short-term rentals aren't allowed in the city but exist anyway, and residents are complaining — including a charter bus dropping cheerleaders at a home. Commissioner Britton wants a work session on what the state actually allows the city to regulate.
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