COCOA BEACH, Fla. – On Thursday, the Cocoa Beach City Commission will hold the first reading of Ordinance 1694, a measure designed to combat misleading advertising practices linked to Cocoa Beach.
This ordinance introduces a new chapter — Chapter 13.1, “Misleading Advertising” — to the city’s Code of Ordinances, specifically targeting ads that falsely entice visitors with lodging options that do not comply with local rules.
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The measure aims to protect residents, business owners, and visitors from deceptive advertising tactics, while also preserving Cocoa Beach’s reputation as a desirable and fair destination.
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The push for Ordinance 1694 comes as the city faces growing concerns over the impact of unregulated vacation rentals, a topic highlighted in a September commission meeting.
A local resident shared her frustrations about vacation rental ads promoting occupancy levels well above the city’s limits —eight people and four vehicles per property — and her experience with a nearby rental advertising space for 14 guests.
She argues that these violations are creating overcrowded neighborhoods, and putting compliant property owners at a disadvantage.
During the meeting, city officials voiced their support, with one commissioner suggesting a random audit of vacation rentals to identify those in violation.
The city’s Code Enforcement Officer reported that only 169 of the 297 identified vacation rentals are currently registered, though compliance rates have risen from 58% in May to 63% by September. Despite the city’s $500 fine for violations, some residents believe that this penalty fails to deter larger vacation rental companies that can easily absorb the cost, calling for stronger enforcement measures.
Ordinance 1694 will address these issues by targeting misleading ads promoting illegal occupancy rates and non-compliant rentals. Under the ordinance, false advertising would be classified as a public nuisance, enabling the city to impose higher fines, label offenders as repeat violators, and seek legal relief through civil infractions.
The ordinance has been recommended for approval by Principal Planner Loren Wiltse and Development Services Director Randy Stevenson, with hopes that its adoption will strengthen Cocoa Beach’s oversight of the vacation rental market and ensure fair advertising practices for all stakeholders.
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