Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts short‑term rental rules; owners must register, pass safety inspections and follow occupancy/parking limits
Summary
On Dec. 16 the council adopted Ordinance 15‑87, creating a certificate‑of‑use program for short‑term rentals: $200 annual registration, initial fire safety inspection, biennial inspections thereafter, occupancy limits, off‑street parking and a 24‑hour local responsible party. Enforcement proceeds through municipal code hearings and certificates can be revoked for repeat violations.
The City of Temple Terrace on Dec. 16 adopted a short‑term rental ordinance that establishes a city‑run certificate‑of‑use program, operational standards, and enforcement steps for rentals listed on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.
Code Compliance Director Jack Shanks told the council the ordinance balances property owners’ rights with a city responsibility to protect neighbor quality of life and safety. Key provisions include a $200 annual registration fee, an initial fire inspection before a certificate is issued and two‑year follow‑up inspections, an occupancy cap of two people per bedroom plus two additional occupants, mandatory off‑street parking (no grass parking), a 24‑hour local responsible party to respond to complaints, and advertising requirements that must list the property’s license number, maximum occupancy and parking limits.
Public comment was robust. Residents who live adjacent to a multi‑unit short‑term rental on Liberty Avenue described chronic problems: alleged unpermitted electrical work, multiple vehicles parked at corners creating safety hazards, and noise and turnover impacts. Neil Oakes, who said he has lived on Liberty Avenue since 1983, urged the council to move quickly to allow fire and building inspections and to stop what he characterized as motel‑style conversions of single‑family homes.
Under the ordinance, violations of certificate conditions will trigger a notice of violation and hearing at the municipal code enforcement board; fines, liens and certificate revocation are available enforcement tools. The code compliance director said staff expects full enforcement no later than July 1, 2026, allowing time to secure software, train staff and notify owners. For repeated or egregious noncompliance, staff said the city would pursue certificate revocation and coordinate with state licensing (DBPR) and rental platforms if necessary.
The ordinance passed on second reading with unanimous passage recorded in the session. Councilmembers praised staff for comprehensive outreach and enforcement planning.
Next steps: staff will begin registration and inspection planning, develop an enforcement matrix for fines, and pursue technical tools (software) to track listings and compliance.
