TITUSVILLE - Vacation home owners in Titusville beware: You may soon become a lawbreaker.

On Tuesday, the city began considering a proposed ordinance that prohibits detached single-family home rentals for three months or less within most zoning districts, "in order to preserve the character and integrity of residential neighborhoods."

The measure must go through at least one more reading before a vote.

The ordinance came at the request of City Attorney Dwight Severs, who heard complaints from neighbors concerned about revolving residents and party noise.

But at least one vacation homeowner, whose Spanish-style, 1920s-era home sits in one of the affected zoning districts, questioned whether the measure was necessary.

"Titusville is not a party town," said Greg Valdyke of Titusville, who says Canadian snowbirds and employees on short-term assignments have rented his property. "Neighbors have inquired if there's anyone there, that's how quiet it is."

The ordinance won't apply to many properties, though. In an online search, most vacation rentals in town are condominiums or apartments

, which aren't affected by the proposed rules.

Property owners also have some wiggle room within the proposed law. The provision doesn't apply to a single-family detached dwelling if it is located within 100 feet of any commercial zoned district.

Any property owner who qualifies for the exempted area needs to obtain a business license from the city.

Valdyke said he didn't mind getting a business license. But he doesn't think there's any reason for the city to even contemplate this ordinance.

"I think Titusville's got problems with sewer systems and potholes," he said. "We have enough things to spend money on."

Other governments in Brevard County have enacted rules regulating vacation properties.

Cape Canaveral recently approved an ordinance that bans most short-term rentals, 30 days or less, and restricts resort condominium rentals to commercial zones and other conditions.

Brevard County adopted a ban in May 2005 that prohibits private home rentals shorter than 90 days and requires a parking space for each bedroom in the house.

Contact Raynor at 360-1016 or jraynor@floridatoday.com.