St. Pete Short-Term Rental Violators Could See $10,000 ‘Super Fines’
For years there have been calls to find some sort of solution for the St. Pete Short-term rental problems plaguing the area. We’ve got people swooping in from across the country, buying property in bulk, and leaving locals to deal with the aftermath. But now, city officials are looking to impose ‘super fines’ on St. Pete Short-term rental violators of up to $10,000.
With the skyrocketing growth of the Tampa Bay area over the last few years, many residents believe there hasn’t been much done to combat the issue of short-term rentals. The current St. Pete ordinance on STRs allows homeowners to rent out homes for less than 30 days only three times per year.
This city ordinance has been around since 2001. But there’s always been ways to find a way around receiving a fine.
How Are St. Pete Short-Term Rental Owners Currently Dodging The Fines?
There are a few tactics St. Pete Short-Term Rental owners are using to dodge the city ordinance. They are getting creative with it.
Many of them have resorted to concealing their listing by not including photos of the outside of the house in the listing. Owners have also asked that customers refrain from leaving reviews because it would show that they are renting the property out more often than the city ordinance allows.
Joe Waugh, the code compliance assistance director said, “At the click of a button, their listing goes from a five-day minimum to a 30-day minimum. We’ve actually had individuals at our hearings who have sat in the audience and changed their listing right then and there.”
How Much Could St. Pete Short-Term Rental Violators Face With New ‘Super Fines’?
Recently, city council members have been looking for more effective ways to enforce the city ordinance. They’re looking at imposing these hefty “super fines” to weed out the ones dodging the system.
Currently, anyone who violates the city ordinance only faces fines of around $200 per day. But, for many St. Pete Short-Term Rental owners, this is just seen as a cost of doing business and equals less than a one-night stay in the rental property.
According to the State Statute, local governments are allowed to impose these new ‘super fines’ between $1,000 per day or $10,000 for every violation hearing.
Now that the committee has approved the code compliance changes, it faces a vote with the full city council.
[Source: St.Pete Catalyst & Fox News]
Residents Agree These 5 Things Are Missing In St. Pete
Multipurpose "Food Hall" Space
Tampa has Armature Works, so why doesn’t St. Pete have a similar concept of a food hall/multipurpose space. Unlike the pier, preferably something indoors would be nice!
Outdoor Skating Area
This totally fits the vibe of St. Pete. We’re surprised there’s no public outdoor skating rink of any kind. A partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning would get people out there too! If this ever happens, they better make sure it’s shaded!
Costco
Last but not least on our list is Costco. The closest Costco to the St. Pete area is off Gulf To Bay Blvd in Clearwater. We need one off 4th street or 34th street!
