Cape Coral home fined thousands for violating rental rules, neighbors say it’s still breaking the rules

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Neighbors say a two-story home off Pelican Boulevard has disrupted their typically quiet street for more than a year.

Residents describe the property as a "frat house" due to constant activity and alleged violations of Cape Coral's short-term rental ordinance. The city requires a minimum seven-day stay for short-term rentals.

WINK News Reporter Bella Line has reported on this home for a year. Neighbors say people are constantly coming and going from the property.

"It's definitely a frat house. They were sitting out on the roof. You know, smoking pot, whatever, hollering, music loud and all this stuff. And these people do not follow the rules; they don’t care,” Manzi said.

Terri Serio, another neighbor, expressed frustration with the ongoing situation.

"This is a nice neighborhood, so, but I tell you we’re all suffering. We have been for a long time,” Serio said.

Manzi says the owner has been fined thousands of dollars, but guests continue staying less than the required seven-day minimum.

"We pay taxes and we got to put up with this crap. It's not right, and it affects all our neighbors," Manzi said. "This isn't the only property that they have that they're doing the same thing, and they're just getting away, do what they want."

The property owner arrived at the house while WINK News was there. When asked about the seven-day stay ordinance, she denied an interview and claimed they are following the rules.

The city of Cape Coral told WINK News that some property owners disregard codes and ordinances, requiring escalation to a hearing before Cape Coral's Special Magistrate.

The city says they have not reopened a case for this property. Code officers did not find proof of violations regarding the minimum night stay requirement for short-term rentals.

The property owner said she is looking to sell the home.