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Belleair Beach reviews sign code changes and rental-registration timing ahead of elections
Summary
Council reviewed a comprehensive sign ordinance template, agreed to keep two flags allowed but left size details consistent with prior minutes, reduced the abandoned-sign compliance window from 60 to 30 days, and discussed tying rental-registration to public advertisement rather than a rigid January deadline.
Belleair Beach councilors reviewed a comprehensive sign code update and discussed related ordinance provisions that could take effect before the upcoming election season.
Staff walked the council through a template ordinance that included flag provisions, temporary-sign rules and time limits. Council confirmed prior minutes'direction that residential parcels may display two flags without permit but noted an earlier suggestion to size the secondary flag smaller (for example 3-by-5 feet) beneath a primary flag. Staff agreed to reflect the consensus in the final draft.
Council also debated the definition of "abandoned" or "discontinued" signs and whether 60 days was too long for enforcement. Members voted informally in the work session to shorten that period to 30 days and to start the enforcement clock on a staff-initiated code-enforcement ticket.
On rental registration, staff described the current $300 annual fee and a $100 late-processing charge. Council discussed the practical problem of a strict January 31 registration deadline for properties that become rental units later in the year. The body favored an approach that requires registration "upon advertisement" for rent (posting on Zillow, Facebook, other platforms or any public listing) and gives the owner 30 days to register before a late fee applies; the aim is to make enforcement simpler and capture units presented to the market.
Next steps: staff will update the sign code to reflect the flag-size decision and will draft rental-registration language tying obligations to advertisement or market presentation, plus a 30-day cure period.
