MOUNT DORA, Fla. -- A battle over bed and breakfasts in Mount Dora has involved business owners, neighbors, the fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The issue could even decide who gets elected mayor.

Amid Mount Dora's quiet neighborhoods brews a battle equally as subtle in all but its ramifications. A political battle boils over booze, bed and breakfasts and whether or not to bend the rules.

The city council is reviewing codes that determine whether the inns can host commercial events like weddings and parties. It's causing quite a stir.

“This is one of the most perfect towns in Florida, in the whole U.S. Why change that?” resident Rich Dunkel questioned.

The mayor says the commercial events wouldn’t be such an issue if they were in the commercial part of town, but most of the bed and breakfasts are in residential neighborhoods and residents feel the cultures will clash.

"There will be more and more exceptions to it and soon you won't know residential from commercial areas," Dunkel said.

Since the debate began at city hall there's been a silent battle on the streets. Fire marshals were sent to each of the B&Bs. The ATF was called to crash one of their progressive dinners and petitions have been passed around on both sides of the fence.

It's pitting neighbors against one another and it took Eyewitness News hours just to find one inn owner who'd talk.

“There’s been some disagreements between the old guard and some of the new folks with new ideas,” said Margie Salyer, owner of Heron Cay Lakeview Bed and Breakfast.

The issue will come before city council November 17, two weeks after the town’s local election. The outcome, residents said, will speak volumes even if they aren't willing to say it themselves.

There are 18 bed and breakfasts in Mount Dora.