On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, during their regular meeting, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners voted to allow beach vendors to resume operations effective immediately. Beach vendors will be required to adhere to the Center for Disease Control social distancing guidelines and disinfect chairs in between rentals.
The Governor’s ban on short term vacation rentals which was originally enacted on the 27th of March under Executive Order 20-87 currently remains in effect under Executive Order 20-112. Consequently, it still remains illegal for property owners to rent their homes on a short term basis. The Walton County Sheriff’s Department is regularly following up on reports of violations of the Governor’s Executive Order. Violation are considered a second degree misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine, up to sixty days in jail and/or the loss of a license to operate a short term vacation rental. During their meeting yesterday, the Board of County Commissioners voted to have a letter sent to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting that he lift the ban on short term vacation rentals.
