Fernandina Beach cracks down on vacation resort rentals

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Because of persistent complaints from legitimate permit holders, the City of Fernandina Beach has begun new enforcement efforts to combat illegal short term resort rentals.

Based on recent reports more than 100 local properties are being rented for less than thirty days at a time, in violation of the city's resort rental ordinance.

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In order to qualify for a resort rental dwelling permit the city says a property needs to be in a multi-family residential zoning area or be specifically granted an exemption by being grandfathered in.

The permit can be purchased at City Hall for $300 and can be renewed annually for $200. The ordinance also protects visitors from unsafe structures and conditions by requiring that a certified home inspection be conducted on the property.

The property owner must provide proof of a registered State of Florida Tax ID and all advertising of the property must include a reference to the permit number.

The city said that some property owners were unaware of the ordinance, but that a lot of property owners were trying to hide from the city by using vacation rental websites like Vacation Rental by Owner, Airbnb and Flipkey to get away with not paying for a permit.

To crack down on people trying to skirt the system, the city raised the fine for violating the ordinance from $75 to $1,000 and could face even more penalties if the city finds out that county bed taxes, State of Florida taxes, federal income taxes, or if they find out that the property benefits from a homestead exemption.

The city is willing to work with property owners to insure that they are in compliance with the ordinance and can call Angie Lester at 904-310-3146 for help.