St Petersburg STR Help

[Eric McAvoy]

Hey BiggerPockets family!

I’m very interested in getting into the short term rental game and I most likely moving to Saint Petersburg Florida within the next three months or so. If anyone owns short term rentals in St. Petersburg Florida or the surrounding areas I’d love to connect or if you have any advice for someone looking to just get started in the short term rental game it would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!



[Jason Kotsko]

So, we had a city  council person come to Pinellas County Realtor for a talk there. They talked about the amount of code violations in the city, and the amount of them that were for Airbnb. it was LOW. Pretty much don't be a jerk and we're not going to come and try to find you. 

My take on it - I think the code enforcement is driven by hotels, which St Pete by and large does not have (yet). Will that change in the future with these being built? Maybe. Seems like that's how it goes on the beaches at least - St Pete Beach supposedly actively cracks down on it, probably because it is full of hotels. Indian Rocks Beach openly promotes it and it is completely legal - no hotels there. I could also be totally wrong, wouldn't be the first time. 

But I think as a backup plan you always have nurses and other health care professionals with St Anthony's, Bayfront, All Children's, not to mention the people moving here from colder climates, that you should be able to just swap to a furnished monthly rental and do ok.