Yes, the wedding industry is part of the larger tourism industry that brings in a great deal of revenue.
But that industry will still do quite well and will still bring in revenue while having weddings at PROPER venues. There are many.
Selling crack is also profitable, employs people, and draws in visitors - but that doesn't mean it is legal or that you want it going on at the house next door.
Hey Scooter, you always seem to use your "selling crack" or prostitution examples when presenting your position on this issue. Keep in mind, it is not legal for "residents" of Walton County to "sell crack" or "solicit for sex" versus Short Term Rental property owners doing the same. In my polite opinion, your example is not suitable. And your statement is not fact based.
You may or may not be aware, but the county is attempting to outlaw ANY and ALL EVENTS from being held on any short term rental property. Whereas "residents" can have any event they so desire.
No matter if these events are a wedding reception, family reunion, birthday party, funeral wake, campaign fundraiser, etc. If the event involves with "putting up a tent" (the county's exact words) on short term rental property areas, then the county Code Enforcement Board will attempt to deem this as an illegal event.
Meanwhile, homesteaded property owners and second home property owners can hold any of these events as they so desire as many times as they want.
When W.H. Butler originally invested in Grayton Beach in the 1920's, his goal was to create a tourist destination and establish a tourist economy in Walton County.
Short term rental property along the beach is the pre-dominant "Conforming Use" standard in the county for over 75 years. Living along the beach as a "full time resident" is the minority form of conforming use.
I agree that "residents" have property rights and the rights to a peaceful environment, but, when one decides to settle along the "tourist" filled beaches here in the county, these rights are not the same as one might expect when living north of the Bay. Most if not all, people who move in along the beach know this. And if they do not, then that is their problem to work through.
Mr. W.H. Butler, must be rolling over in his grave in response to the county's failure to handle this situation with EVERYONE's best interests in mind.
As stated many times before, if the Sheriff enforced noise, parking, and disturbing the peace ordinances, this problem would not even exist.