Short Term Rentals/Airbnb Laws in the Tampa Bay and Beach Areas

[Mandy Groom]

Greetings,

I have a few questions regarding short term rentals in the Tampa Bay area. Upon doing some research, I've realized that there is a ton of conflicting information out there and I'm looking for some clarification.

As I understand it, str's are against code compliance within the City of Clearwater as well as St. Petersburg. I'm also finding that similar laws are currently being established in most other towns is the area, if not already in place.

After searching Airbnb and VRBO, I've noticed that there are several str's in the areas listed above. Are they just operating illegally? Are the laws not really enforced here? (I recently moved here from Atlanta and that would NOT fly there) What am I missing?

Does anyone know of anywhere in the Tampa Bay area (preferably the beaches) that is more welcoming to the idea of str's? 

TIA for your help! 

[Dan Maciejewski]

It's very messy right now, cities that already had laws prior to 2011 don't want to change or adjust them because they might lose the ability to ban STRs at all, and some of them can't keep up with enforcement in any case.  

Clearwater is very strict, From the article: "The short-term rental law applies to all but about 30 homes on North Beach that were grandfathered-in after an appeals court in 2007 sided with beach landlords who called the city’s law too loose and a breach of their property rights. The court decided the ban applied to any property that started the practice after 2003, when the city began to enforce the law in earnest.

Dunedin and St Pete have areas where it is grandfathered in, as well.  And the initial fine isn't enough to scare away some of the owners in the areas where it is technically illegal.  Largo allows it, but you have to set up like a business, with a Certificate of Occupancy and sprinklers and a mop sink, if I recall correctly, although I don't think any STRs are set up like that there.  Gulffport now allows STRs in the entire city.  In fact Gulfport is going to be my focus for my next investment, as well as for my clients that are interested.

The first link I provided states: " In 2014, the Legislature passed SB 356 (Thrasher), which diminished the preemption on short-term rentals. The 2014 law allows local governments to adopt ordinances specific to these rentals so that they can address some of the noise, parking, trash and life-safety issues created by their proliferation in residential neighborhoods. Unfortunately, SB 356 left in place existing statutory language stating that cities cannot “prohibit” short-term rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of the rental." (emphasis mine).  

Some people I work with are cautious and will not go near cities that regulate, some are okay with "possible" fines as long as they don't see much enforcement, and can make great money with STR and still cash flow if they have to convert to a 30-90 day type model. Plus, their thought is that if they have to sell, the STR model means that they are basically maintaining a staged home that will sell at the top of FMV if they see a need.