What does the Life Safety Inspection include?

The City of St. Augustine Short-Term Vacation Rental ordinance (2019- 50) requires a Life Safety Inspection, performed by the St. Augustine Fire Department, at the time of registration and annually thereafter. Listed below are the fire-safety requirements for all short-term rental properties:

  • Address plainly visible and legible from the street with minimum 4" numbers.
  • Smoke alarms installed and operational in each sleeping room, areas giving access to sleeping rooms, and on each level.
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors installed and operational in sleeping areas of dwellings which have gas appliances and/or an attached garage.
  • Portable fire extinguishers (2A10BC multi-purpose) are required on each level of the house.  They must be accessibly mounted and less than one year old or serviced and tagged by a licensed company annually.
  • Any installed fire alarm system or fire sprinkler system shall be inspected and tagged by a licensed company annually.
  • Emergency lighting required in areas between bedrooms and exit doors.  Lighting must be connected to power with battery backup.
  • Exit signs over exit doors and throughout residence where the location of exits may be questionable.
  • Each sleeping room shall have, in addition to the exit door, one other means of emergency escape, which may be a second door that leads directly to the outside of the structure, or an openable window that is operational from within the area in which it serves.
  • Egress windows and exit doors are operable and exit paths are clear and unobstructed.
  • Emergency evacuation information shall be posted in central location of rental.
  • Extension cords shall not be utilized as permanent wiring.-

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an inspection, contact Fire Safety Inspector Dustin Hamilton at 904-808-3369.

Download the Life Safety List (PDF)


Show All Answers

1. Do Short Term Rentals need to be registered with the City?
2. How is the weekly minimum in RS-1 and RS-2 applied?
3. What does the Life Safety Inspection include?
4. What are the parking requirements for a Short Term Rental in the City?
5. What is the maximum occupancy of a Short Term rental in The City?
6. Are Short Term Rentals Inspected in the City?
7. What is the registration or renewal fee for a Short Term Rental in the City?
8. Is there a way to file complaints against a Short Term Rental in the City?
9. Is a Vacation Rental the same as a Short Term Rental?
10. Where are Short Term Rentals allowed in the City?
11. Do I need to register all of the units in my Multi-Unit Building?
12. Registration is required annually. What is the registration period?