Short Term Rental Compliance Hearings - May 13 2026 1:00 PM

The Walton County Code Compliance Hearing on May 13, 2026, focused primarily on enforcement actions related to short-term rental properties that were not properly registered with the county as required by local ordinances. Several property owners appeared to request fine reductions or to address compliance issues. One notable case involved Timothy and Deborah Linus, who requested a reduction of a $25,000 fine for failure to register their short-term rental property. The hearing officer granted a significant fine reduction to $2,500 plus a $50 administrative fee, with payment due within 30 days. Other cases involved orders for property owners to bring their rentals into compliance by May 15, 2026, or face daily fines of $500, along with administrative fees. The county also sought payment of late fees and registration fees for prior years in some cases, though the hearing officer declined to order payment of back registration fees at this time, leaving that for future consideration. The hearing emphasized adherence to the Walton County Land Development Code and the importance of proper registration with the county, the state DBPR, and the Tourist Development Council for short-term rentals.