Short-term rentals pressure Pine Island communities
To the editor:
Many Island homes damaged by recent storms are being purchased by investors for sole purpose of being short-term rentals. The purchaser has no intention of living there. Investors purchase the home and immediately begin renovations to increase home capacity. This is accomplished by adding additional bedrooms and bathrooms.
House capacity goes from 4 people to 8 or 9 people. All work being done with NO PERMITS.
Upon completion the house is turned into a short-term rental, operated by real estate companies that provide these services. Now there is a constant parade of renters, mostly here for 2 to 4 days. Lee County Code. 34 states that a dwelling can only be rented for a week, month or year, not 2 to 4 days. Not always, but more times than not, this results in very loud music, screaming pool time, heavy drinking and constant obscene language. The front yard is parked with 4 to 5 vehicles, and 3 to 4 boat trailers.
Residents, the great people that make up a neighborhood, are now stranded in their homes to escape the noise. These residents have been on the Island for many years. They came here for the quiet neighborhood and relaxed Island vibe. Short-term rentals are having a negative impact on many surrounding homes. Residents are now thinking of leaving the Island. They are tired of fighting noise issues.
I urge you to contact Lee County, asking them to enforce the 7-day minimum on short-term rentals on Pine Island. (I wish it was a 30-day minimum).
Contact Commissioner Kevin Ruane-District 1
Phone: 239-533-2224, E-Mail:
Address: 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Pete Karas
St. James City