08/19/2025
Our public comment on Ocean Springs’ motion to Adopt Resolution for a Temporary Moratorium on the Submission and Acceptance of Short-Term Rental Applications:
‘Good evening, Mayor Cox and Aldermen and Alderwomen Hinton, Tillis, Dennis Wade, Pfeiffer, Blackman, and Messenger. My name is Cameron Rea, and I am a resident of Ward Three. However, I represent clients in all six of our wards and beyond. I hold accreditation as an independently licensed broker both nationally and in the states of Mississippi and Alabama. My six years of experience in real estate place me in the top 17% of professionals nationally.
I hope my professional experience provides the board and the planning commission with a valuable perspective.
In preparation for today’s meeting, I reviewed the video of the August 5 board of Aldermen meeting, which I could not attend because I was traveling.
From today’s agenda, I understand that the potential oversaturation of short-term rentals and the disruption they cause to residents in downtown Ocean Springs have led the board to consider reviewing existing businesses. This would grant them the authority to adopt ordinances for the immediate and temporary preservation of public peace, health, or safety, among other good causes.
I empathize with the downtown residents who do not want to be disturbed; I wouldn’t either. However, I believe it is the responsibility of property managers, owners, and permit holders to eliminate these disturbances, as they hold a license to operate. I propose implementing stricter regulations on permit holders who abuse their privileges, since 20% of these individuals are causing 80% of the problems for the residents and investors who want to enjoy their privileges.
Additionally, I would like to address the potential risks of damage to residents and investors currently holding or interested in establishing short-term rentals here. These rentals can diversify and enhance their investment portfolios.
I want to clarify that these proposed measures do not aim to balance the existing short-term rental market. As mentioned in the August 5 comments, they are specifically focused on reducing the number of short-term rentals.
My clients and local investors who may want to sell their properties cannot transfer their permits. If these measures are implemented, those wishing to establish new short-term rental properties will face even greater limitations.
To provide some perspective, it seems we have a problem based on fear of future issues rather than current conditions. The original draft of the moratorium mentions a “potential oversaturation.”
Respectfully, we can agree on the importance of individual rights and the free market in a more conservative political environment. Enforcing blanket regulations across all six wards because some in the downtown area are experiencing disruptions feels akin to telling an entire kindergarten class they cannot have a snack because one child threw his on the floor.
I propose a more reasonable policy that would enforce strict penalties on irresponsible property owners or managers whose guests cause disruptions, while providing opportunities to replace these problem properties with individuals waiting for new licenses. I also suggest that property owners holding licenses should be able to sell their properties with transferable permits. Those with a proven track record of not generating excessive complaints should maintain the right to transfer their properties with those permits, enhancing their marketability.
I appreciate your time today and love the community in which I live. I am continually impressed with how this area has remained a beautiful and safe place to reside.
As a business owner, community member, and volunteer with organizations like the local chamber, I can always provide professional resources or volunteer efforts to improve our shared community. Thank you for hearing me today.’
