St. Petersburg Could Impose ‘Superfines’ for Airbnb Violations

The city is responding to multiple complaints that short-term rental owners are concealing their listings and skirting city rules banning rentals under 30 days.

1 minute read

July 18, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida at sunset.

Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. | jovannig / Adobe Stock

Short-term rental (STR) owners in St. Petersburg, Florida found in violation of the city’s rules could soon face much higher fines, reports Genevieve Curtis for Fox 13 Tampa Bay.

“The city’s ordinance, on the books since 2001, essentially bans short-term rentals under 30 days. Three times a year, property owners can rent their property for less than 30 days.” The proposed ordinance comes in response to complaints that owners were not complying with the rules. 

The higher fines, proposed as up to $1,000 a day or $10,000 per violation hearing, could make a bigger impact than the current $200 fee, which is less than the average one-night stay in an STR unit.

The new rule was approved by the city’s Public Services and Infrastructure Committee and will go to the full city council for a vote.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Fox 13 Tampa Bay

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today