This is an idea I've been looking into, and one which I believe could help with our lack of affordable, long-term rental housing here in south Walton.
Let's push to ammend the Walton County Land Development Code to allow for the long-term rental of 'Accessory Apartments' (ie.- garage apartments or carriage houses).
The code currently allows for the construction of accessory apartments but these can only be used by family members. Section 6.02.01 (B) of the LDC states "The accessory apartment shall not be available for commercial short-term or long-term rental to any person who is not a family member of the owner of the property."
My understanding is that the state of California has been pushing its municipalities to loosen restrictions on accessory apartments recently as a low-cost, no sprawl solution to similar housing issues we face here.
We have many of these structures in south Walton, and this solution could open up many small, affordable rental units, probably in areas close to where these people work.
For the homeowner, the income could help subsidize the mortgage or our (rising) taxes. For an out-of-town homeowner, it could be a real advantage to have someone on site in the garage apartment keeping an eye on things or even helping prepare the house for storms when the homeowner can't get here in time.
I'm looking for some feedback from the community. Anyone else think this is a good idea?
I'd like to get some of our regional organizations, like the South Walton Community Council involved, if anyone has any contacts with these groups?
Replies
31Beach Fanatic
Thanks for all the feedback. Good to know there is general support for the idea.
I'm drafting a letter to Walton County Planning and Zoning, and plan to contact some of our local organizations asking for their support.
If anyone has experience dealing with the county on such issues I would greatly appreciate some guidance on how to go about proposing an ammendment to the LDC as this is new territory for me.
The comments have been very helpful, such as the need to specify that such rentals would only be allowed for long term rental. If anyone else has any other points that should be addressed in this proposal, let me know.
I'll keep everyone here posted on developments; I suspect that at some point I will need to ask for folks to e-mail our commissioners expressing support for the proposal.
The SWCC has done a lot of work on AH - I'm sure someone there can help.
www.southwaltoncc.org
Chances are you know someone on the board:
http://www.southwaltoncc.org/contact.htm
SoWal Insider
What defines a long-term rental anyway? Three months? Six?
At LEAST 3 months--but preferably a one-year lease if one is really serious about licking the area's "affordable housing" problem (and by affordable, that would be in the range of the take-home pay of area employers like teachers, cops, lifeguards, waiters and cashiers).
The county would also have to keep up with these type of arrangements to ensure someone doesn't use the "long-term rental" ploy as a means of getting out of paying bed tax.
Expect some opposition from areas with HOA with protective covenants in place; especially those who have a higher than average percentage of full-time residents. Also get up-to-speed on the "Fair Housing Act" and the affect it can have on a landlord's ability to pick-and-choose their renters.
Just some things to think about while going forward.
I wish you the best of luck--keep us informed.
Beach Fanatic
TWT I for one think it is a great idea, and if it got on the commission's agenda, I would be happy to write a letter to my commissioner.
In fact you have set me to thinking. We have a standard-sized lot in Seagrove that we would love to build on in the next three to five years. The depth of the lot (135) is certainly enough to warrant a carriage house, plus pool plus main house, and the way the lot is sited we might even be able to get gulf views from the second floor of the carriage house. We could start building sooner rather than later if we got the full plans drawn up, then did a carriage house first, that we could use for ourselves for awhile. When we were ready to build we could rent the carriage house long term and have at the very least someone looking out for the property. I don't like it. I LOVE it!
We would do the exact same thing.
leslie lou
TWT, I am all for it, and in fact, have thought about building one on my property. I could not afford to build it and make money on it by renting it, but I believe the affordable rent could make it a break even proposition while helping another person, and adding a little excitement to my life. I am readying to build a new home in the near future, but will probably hold off on the Carriage House for maybe another year. If money were not an issue, I would do build it today.
Truly, having a long term renter's "servants quarters" could be handy for those who needed a cleaning person, ie- servant, to clean between guests and owners' visits in exchange for rent. You could also have this person maintain a garden on the property, or stock your groceries for the arrival, check in renters to the main house, etc. Why people would rather pay more to a rental management company than having a reliable tenant take care of things is beyond me.
As someone wanting to relocate I would love to do something like this. Even maybe add a babysitting service for guests/owners, the advantages are endless. To have the chance to live and work in Sowal in would be a wonderful opportunity. I wish everyone luck who is trying to get this approved.
SoWal Expert
As someone wanting to relocate I would love to do something like this. Even maybe add a babysitting service for guests/owners, the advantages are endless. To have the chance to live and work in Sowal in would be a wonderful opportunity. I wish everyone luck who is trying to get this approved.What I want to do is to create three living quarters above studio space and have artists live up and create below. Of course I would have to comply with housing regulations, but I would like to have people submit examples of their work and maybe a biography. I would probably limit them to one year stay so that several artists have a chance to do this. Although my property is not zoned as business, I think it would be funn to have a small shop for them to sell their works, maybe even directly from their studio. Ideally, I would like to have artist working in different mediums, eg- sculpture, painting, carving, etc. I have not thought completely through it, but I have thought of maybe having a large common living area and kitchen, with 3 larger sized bedrooms with private baths, somewhat like a suite in a dorm room. I would also have 2-3 private outdoor spaces/decks or porches, so that people can have a little privacy. Still just a concept which I think I could keep simple and somewhat affordable.
SoWal Expert
for much more indepth affordable housing info, go to www.floridahousing.org
The site is down, as I type, but check back if it is not working when you try. Unfortunately, most entry level homes in this area do not qualify buyers for assisted down payments (which are reinbursed to the Gov't when the owner sells). I forgot the limit on the max home price allowed, but it is less than $275K which you will have to pay in SoWal and much of Freeport.
The site is down, as I type, but check back if it is not working when you try. Unfortunately, most entry level homes in this area do not qualify buyers for assisted down payments (which are reinbursed to the Gov't when the owner sells). I forgot the limit on the max home price allowed, but it is less than $275K which you will have to pay in SoWal and much of Freeport.
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