For anyone who’s interested in the vacation rental ordinance and how it will work in Holmes Beach, the city is hosting three meetings to get community members and stakeholders up to speed as its certificate program approaches the launch pad.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the meetings will be beneficial for anyone who rents a property on a short-term basis, including rental agents and property managers.
“This program is about weekly rentals, but even if you rent by the month in a district where you can rent by the week, you need to know about the vacation rental certificate,” said Mary Buonagura, Holmes Beach human resources specialist, who was tasked with setting up the procedures for VRO certificates.
Tokajer will host the meetings, along with code enforcement officers JT Thomas and Nate Brown.
Brown and Thomas, with the help of Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek, recorded an inspection of a rental property to demonstrate the process required for compliance with the certificate program.
Brown said he will give a live demonstration during the meetings, illustrating how rental agents and property owners can access and complete the online application, which is expected to go live Sept. 13.
Tokajer said there also will be a discussion of the property inspection checklist, a demonstration of how to stabilize signs that swing from posts — no longer allowed — and a question-and-answer session.
While the meeting topic is the same, Tokajer said additional information may be shared in later meetings as questions arise and solutions are discussed.
“We’re expecting participation from stakeholders,” he said of the meetings.
After Sept. 22, property managers and owners have 90 days to apply for certificates — required to continue renting their property in Holmes Beach.
Buonagura said it’s important for property owners to understand the certificate will not replace the city’s business tax receipt, which are required of property managers and owners.
“You have to pay the business tax receipt before you can get a vacation rental certificate,” she said. “This certifies the safety of a building. We don’t want to be punishing or punitive at all.”
The certificate fee is $150 for two years, including the initial inspection.
Tokajer said the start of the 90-day window for applications is expected to begin Sept. 23.
The VRO meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 12 and Sept. 19, and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.