- December 5, 2024
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On Feb. 5 the Sarasota City Commission officially expanded the vacation rental registration and enforcement ordinance from the barrier islands citywide. Now comes the cost of doing business,
At its March 4 meeting, commissioners approved a request by the Development Services Department to add two new staff positions, reclassifying one existing job, and to create the Vacation Rental Compliance Division. It will implement and enforce the expansion of short-term rentals from the current 138 units on the barrier islands to an estimated 700-plus across the city.
With no discussion among them, commissioners approved the resolution presented by Development Services Director Lucia Panica by a 4-1 vote with Erik Arroyo opposed. He was the lone dissenting voice in expanding the ordinance citywide.
“Staff has carefully examined the resources that will be needed to effectively execute the program and need the level of service that is expected for the city,” Panica said. “There are estimated to be approximately an additional 700-plus vacation rentals on the mainland that we'll be required to register now. This number continues to increase as additional vacation rentals are created, and we do see an increase on a weekly basis at least.”
For the remainder of fiscal year 2024, building the new division and laying the groundwork for the registration period — which won’t begin until 2025 — requires a budget amendment of $87,067. Currently, one code compliance specialist administers the vacation rental compliance program with the assistance of an administrative assistant, who spends one-third of her staff hours on vacation rentals. The current code compliance coordinator executes vacation rental inspections and will assist with training new staff on the inspection process.
For fiscal year 2025, the total increase in new spending for the program is $150,174 for all personnel, including salaries, taxes and benefits. Staffing will include a supervisor, a compliance specialist and an administrative assistant. Reclassifying the current compliance specialist position to supervisor represents an increase of $10,460.
All-in personnel costs for the department are $69,995 for the administrative assistant, $69,720 for the compliance specialist and $80,175 for the supervisor. The hiring process will be initiated as quickly as possible in hopes of onboarding new staff by May 1, 2024.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the city will begin accepting vacation rental certificate of registration applications for qualifying properties citywide. That process includes:
The cost to register is $500, which includes an initial safety inspection by the city, with an annual renewal fee of $350 and a re-inspection fee, should one be necessary, of $100. The ordinance does not apply to owner-occupied homes that offer rooms for short-term rent.
By Jan. 1, 2025, all current vacation rental properties will be required to be registered.
Beginning July 1, 2025, all vacation rental certificates, including rentals on the barrier islands, will be required to renew the annual certificate of registration. Each vacation rental must be reinspected annually as part of the renewal application process. Proactive compliance monitoring will continue as part of the division staff's daily routine.