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1. Do Short Term Rentals need to be registered with the City?

Yes.

Here is a link to the Registration Portal

2. How is the weekly minimum in RS-1 and RS-2 applied?

Within RS-1 and RS-2 Parcels, the weekly minimum means that short term rentals can only host one stay per week, this would include between a one night stay and a 6 night stay during a weeks time. 

3. 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)

4. What are the parking requirements for a Short Term Rental in the City?

Each rental unit provides a at least one (1) parking space per bedroom on-site. This parking may be provided off-site with special approval from the City’s Planning & Zoning Board.

Each parking space shall be stabilized with concrete, asphalt, pavers or gravel. Grass, mulch or sand are not acceptable areas for parking. 

5. What is the maximum occupancy of a Short Term rental in The City?

The total maximum is twelve (12) occupants. This is computed at two (2)  person per bedroom plus an additional two (2) children under the age of 18.

6. Are Short Term Rentals Inspected in the City?

Yes.

At the time of registration, and annually, each short term rental is inspected for life safety, zoning and property maintenance compliance. 

7. What is the registration or renewal fee for a Short Term Rental in the City?

Tiered Rate Schedule - $73.81 per rental bedroom + Base Rate of $294.48 and $100 Late Renewal Fee and $50 Re-Inspection Fee

• Studio Rental- $294.48

• One Bedroom- ($294.48 + $73.81) = $368.29

• Two Bedrooms- ($294.48 + $147.62) = $442.10

• Three Bedrooms- ($294.48 + $221.43) = $515.92

• Four Bedrooms- ($294.48 + $295.24) = $589.73

• Five Bedrooms- ($294.48 + 369.05) = $663.54

Application fees are non-refundable if your application is denied or if your property does not pass the final inspection.

8. Is there a way to file complaints against a Short Term Rental in the City?

Yes.

You can File A Complaint Online OR you can Call 904-569-7077 

9. Is a Vacation Rental the same as a Short Term Rental?

Yes! A short term rental is synonymous with a vacation rental. Vacation Rentals are define in Section 509.242, Florida Statues.

10. Where are Short Term Rentals allowed in the City?

The City Commission adopted rules for Short-Term Rentals in 2019. These regulations deal specifically with short-term vacation rentals. The basic requirements per zoning district are listed below:

RS-1 & RS-2 Zoning -  may be rented for periods of one week or longer with approved registration. Nightly rentals are not allowed in RS-1 and RS-2 zoning.

HP-1 Zoning - may be rented on a monthly or greater period of time with approved registration.

All other Zoning Districts: may be rented on a nightly basis with approved registration.

11. Do I need to register all of the units in my Multi-Unit Building?

You will need to register each individual short term rental listing on your Property (if you have two Short Term Rentals listed on a rentals site (ex. AirBnB), you will need two registrations.

12. Registration is required annually. What is the registration period?

The registration period follows our fiscal year, October 1 - September 30. Renewals are to be submitted by October 1st each year, or a late renewal fee of $100 will be assessed. If a new registration is submitted outside of the October 1st deadline for renewals, registration fees will not be prorated.