April 1 rental registration deadline no joke in Anna Maria

April Fools’ Day in Anna Maria won’t be a laughing matter.

Mayor Dan Murphy said the city’s short-term vacation rental ordinance is on track to go into effect on April Fools’ Day.

“So far we’ve only had about 60 rentals apply for the registration, but we’re expecting a last-minute rush and we’ll be ready,” Murphy said

The registration costs $695. Applicants must include an exterior and interior sketch of the property, an active rental license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and also have proof of DBPR vacation rental registration, as well as evidence of an account with the Manatee County Tax Collector for payment of tourist development taxes.

Rental units with more than four bedrooms may be eligible for a five-year grandfather exemption, which also must be applied for by April 1.

The VRO limits rentals to two people per bedroom with a maximum occupancy of eight per unit, but approved grandfathered units can have the eight-person cap removed, allowing for more occupants.

“I’m certain it will be a smooth transition,” Murphy said. “We have a contingent plan in case people wait for the last minute.”

Murphy said he’s planning on having temporary administrative assistants working in the commission’s chambers Friday, April 1.

There are an estimated 600 rentals in the city’s residential zone and, if the registration applications aren’t submitted by the deadline, rental agents and owners could face citations and fines.

The first citation is $100 and it rises to $250 afterward. Code enforcement manager Pam Gibbs said an agent or owner could receive a citation every day a unit operates without registration.

“It’ll all be on a case-by-case basis,” Gibbs said, “but the citations could rack up pretty quickly if they’re not careful.”

Gibbs also said if citations on a particular unit compound and the owner or agent doesn’t take action to comply, then the city could take the matter before a special magistrate.

The special magistrate could then assign liens against the property.

The short-term vacation rental ordinance was adopted Nov. 19, 2015. The ordinance places occupancy restrictions on any unit that is rented for periods of less than 30 days.

Forms can be downloaded from cityofannamaria.com. Applicants also can register online.

Meanwhile, as the VRO registration clock ticks, a lawsuit from Anna Maria Vacations and Florida Gulf Coast Vacation Homes against the city of Anna Maria is scheduled to go before 12th Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Jr., at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, Courtroom 5E, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

The plaintiffs are seeking a final summary judgment and that the ordinance be declared null and void.