Flagler Beach board recommends ordinance requiring annual in-person fire inspections for short-term rentals

The Planning and Architectural Review Board on Jan. 6 recommended that the City Commission approve Ordinance No. 20 26, which would require annual, in-person fire inspections of resort dwellings and resort condominiums previously relying on owner self-inspection affidavits.

Fire Inspector Bruce Adams told the board that short-term or vacation rentals had been “essentially being self regulated,” and proposed replacing self-inspection affidavits with a comprehensive, annual in-person checklist to improve life-safety oversight. The proposed checklist expands inspections beyond extinguisher dates and smoke-detector checks to evaluate egress, heating and ventilation where required, electrical safety and other items.

Board members pressed staff about particular requirements. One member asked whether three-story units would require rope ladders; Adams said such equipment would be evaluated case by case and would generally not be required when occupants can reach an exit within roughly 10 to 15 feet. A separate question led Adams to agree to clarify language about heating and water-heater ventilation to read “if required” for gas appliances.

Staff outlined an initial fee schedule adopted by resolution: existing permits would pay $200 per year; new permits would pay $400 initially and $200 annually afterward. Fire Chief Steven Cox said the fees are intended to be cost-neutral and to offset the inspection division’s workload, noting the department estimated roughly 180 short-term rental permits and continues to see 2–3 new permits weekly.

The board discussed enforcement and compliance strategies for unpermitted short-term rentals, including monitoring sanitation turnover and listing sites. City staff cautioned that code-enforcement prosecutions require non-hearsay evidence and typically rely on corroborating information (for example, repeated vehicle observations) before formal action.

Resident Karen Stile raised practical concerns about the cost and timing of required egress work and asked whether the city could provide guidance or procurement assistance; staff said the city would work with owners on scheduling while requiring prompt remediation for major life-safety violations.

A board member moved to recommend approval of the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the board recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes on the recommendation to the City Commission. The ordinance, if approved by the commission, would codify inspection procedures and fees as described and include implementation details to be administered by city staff.