Magistrate fines owner for four short‑term rentals, orders 30‑day minimum

The special magistrate found that a property advertised on Airbnb had four short stays in violation of St. Pete Beach’s short‑term rental rules and imposed fines and restrictions on the respondent.

City code enforcement presented an affidavit of posting, a screenshot of the Airbnb listing and four guest reviews. The city recommended maximum fines tied to each review; the magistrate accepted credible testimony from the city and the owner's representative that four paid stays occurred and assessed $500 per stay — a total of $4,000 — plus $330 in administrative costs and any recording fees necessary to effect a lien if unpaid.

Christian Shepherd spoke for the property owner and introduced Ariel Lindsey as the owner; Shepherd said the owner bought the property two months earlier, had not known the local code, and changed the Airbnb listing to require 30‑day stays upon receiving the city's notice. Shepherd told the magistrate the owner immediately updated the calendar and emailed the city to confirm compliance.

The magistrate called the violation “irreparable or irrevocable” for short‑term‑rental code purposes and declined to impose the maximum $1,000 per review, instead assessing $500 per rental based on the testimony. The order also prohibits rentals of less than 30 days and requires the owner to provide proof that no short‑term reservations remain on the books.

The magistrate will prepare a written order reflecting the fine, administrative costs and the 30‑day minimum rental restriction and encouraged the respondent to coordinate with code enforcement regarding documentation of compliance.