If your property is a single family home, duplex, triplex, or quad-plex that is rented to guests more than three times per calendar year for periods of 30 days or less, your property is considered a short term rental.
The City has adopted minimal regulations for short term rentals. Below is a summary list. The City’s rules do not replace or alter any requirements imposed by the State of Florida, including any requirements for state licensure or state sales tax. These rules also do not affect additional regulations prescribed by Home Owners Associations (HOAs), Property Owners Associations (POAs) or other deed restrictions. It is the property owner’s responsibility to comply with any state, HOA, POA, or deed requirements or face potential enforcement or penalties from those authorities. The City, however, does not enforce the state’s licensure or sales tax requirements or HOA, POA, or deed restrictions.
SUMMARY OF CITY RULES FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS
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Minimum Standards. The property must meet the minimum standards set forth in the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Code, the Florida Life Safety Code; and the City’s Comprehensive Development Code. As a short term rental, the fire code requires a high hazard inspection be performed annually.
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Designated Responsible Party. Either the property owner, or a designated person over 18 years of age, or a property management company must be responsible for responding to requests, complaints, or other inquiries regarding the short term rental.
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Designated Responsible Party Posting. The name and telephone number of the responsible party must either be posted on the front exterior of the property in an area visible to the public or associated with the property through the City’s alarm decal system. This person must be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week and capable of directly responding, or directing a designated agent to directly respond to and resolve any issues or concerns with the short term rental. If necessary, the designated responsible party must be willing and able to come to the short-term vacation rental unit within two (2) hours following notification to address any issue that is not capable of being addressed via telephone.
1. Contact Largo Fire Rescue to schedule your High Hazard Inspection. The cost of such inspections $100 as prescribed by the City's fee ordinance. This inspection must be conducted annually per the Florida Fire Code.
2. Designate your responsible party. This can be either be done by posting the name and telephone number on the exterior of the property, in an area visible to the public or this can be accomplished by adding this information to the City's alarm decal system. An example of a Responsible Party External Notice is available online.
Remember, the designated responsible party can be the owner, a property management company, or another person over 18, and must be available 24/7 to resolve any issues or concerns with the short term rental.
3. Post required information for your rental guests. You can use this external posting which contains important safety information for your guests and is required to be posted in a conspicuous location within each rental unit.
4. That's all, and happy hosting!
If you have questions about whether your property is in compliance with the City’s rules, please contact the Planner-on-Call at 727-587-6700 Ext. 7301 or email AskAPlanner@largo.com.
