The following information regarding short term rentals is intended to provide the essential information which property owners in the city of Treasure Island need to know regarding owning and managing short term rental properties.
Tourist Dwellings are not permitted by City Code to be in the RU-75 or RM-15 Zoning Districts. The city of Treasure Island presumes a property to be a Tourist Dwelling if:
1) The property is located in an RU-75 or RM-15 zoning district and is publicly offered/advertised for rental;
2) The property is located in the RU-75 (Single-Family) zoning district and has more than two (2) changes of occupancy in a 12-month period (link to map below); or
3) The property is located in the RM-15 (Multi-Family) zoning district and has more than six (6) changes of occupancy in a 12-month period (link to map below). Click here to access the zoning map.
Tourist Dwellings are permitted in zoning districts CG, RFM-30, RFH-50, PR-MU Core, & PR-MU Gulf Boulevard and do not have restrictions on “changes of occupancy."
What does a Change of Occupancy mean? It means exactly that – a new occupant. Each time a person or persons occupy a residence, on a temporary basis, is considered a change of occupancy. Whether the unit is rented or it
is made available free to groups or friends; each set of visitors counts as one change of occupancy. A property in the RU-75 and RM-15 zoning districts may not have more occupancies than permitted by the district. There is no minimum or maximum length of time for occupancy. It can be a day, a few days, weeks, or months.
Additionally, if an owner rents a dwelling unit:
- Get required licensing from state for a lodging establishment - http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/licensing-guides/
- Pay the annual City of Treasure Island Local Business Tax - If you advertise a unit for rent or rent the unit for payment; you must complete a City of Treasure Island Local Business Tax Application and pay an annual tax to the City. The tax is determined by the number of units rented.
- Pay the Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax - This tax is applicable to all guests who rent for six (6) months or less. The tourist development tax is a 6% tax in addition to the total rental amount received from any person who rents, leases, or lets for consideration any living quarter or sleeping or housekeeping accommodation. For more information contact the Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office or go to www.taxcollect.com or call 727-464-7777.
- If an owner rents out a dwelling, they are not permitted to claim Homestead Exemption? - If the owner is not permanently residing in the dwelling or it is a rental, vacation home, or vacant, the property owner could be in violation of the homestead exemption regulations and could possibly be subject to multiple years of property taxes as determined by the Property Appraiser’s Office. For more information contact the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office at (727) 464-3207 / Hearing Impaired (727) 464-3370 or www.pcpao.org.
The following link/address to the city of Treasure Island zoning map will help you identify locations and the number of times structures/units may be rented in 12 months: Community Development (arcgis.com)
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Community Development Department office at 727-547-4575 x 230.