St. Augustine sets new standards for short-term rentals

Jacksonville, FL — The City of St. Augustine passed three ordinances regulating short-term rentals on Monday night. During public comment, homeowners cited issues with parties going into the night, trash pileups and parking overflows.

“My wife and I bought a home here to live in a peaceful neighborhood. It has changed so much,” said a St. Augustine who asked only to be called ‘Michael.’

Some short-term rental owners, like Roberto Bello, tell Action News Jax the city’s actions on Monday will have a negative impact on his business.

“If they make it a seven-day minimum, basically they’re going to put us out of business, and I don’t think it’s fair,” said Bello.

The first ordinance, 2019-50, regulates short-term rental registration, inspections, intensity of use, occupancy, life-safety standards, parking, solid waste and more. Ordinance 2019-51 limits short-term rental owners with properties in certain single-family zones to renting their properties out no more than once per week. Ordinance 2019-52 limits short-term rental owners with properties in the historic preservation district to renting those properties out no more than once per month.

“We can’t wait for the state,” said St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Upchurch.

House Bill 1011 and Senate Bill 1128, if passed at the state level, would preempt local governments from regulating short-term rentals, as St. Augustine did on Monday night.  Mayor Upchurch explained why the city acted despite proposals for state regulation.

“I think part we’re sending a message to legislature that this is a concern in our city, and we’re trying to resolve it, we’re trying to address it,” said Upchurch. “… We’ve got to do what we have to do, and if the legislature preempts us entirely, then we’ll respond the best we can.”