Florida governor Ron DeSantis is facing a lawsuit brought by vacation rental owners alleging bias against the sector.
The governor ordered all rentals to close in March, citing Covid-19 concerns
They claim they are being unfairly treated as hotels, motels, resorts, and other lodging establishments were exempted.
The vacation rental ban has been extended indefinitely even as Florida takes its first steps to reopen the economy.
The suit claims the executive order exceeded the governor’s authority and is a violation of equal protection rights of homeowners with licenses to legally rent out their properties.
The suit’s plaintiffs consist of several home owners and property managers.
Vacation rental hosts claim there is a clear bias, as they say private accommodations offer more protection from contracting Covid-19, compared to public places like hotels which remain open.
"Gov. DeSantis provided no explanation for the continued closure of vacation rentals, even though—as lodging options—vacation homes are more conducive to the state’s social distancing recommendations," said vacation rental property owners Jeff and Gina Paglialonga.
According to a 2018 study the vacation rental sector generates about $16.6 billion in direct spending.
