A few years ago, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners established a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance that was slated to go into effect in January of 2023. The mandates were many and the process was slow. As you might imagine, the small, minimally staffed county offices were met with a crush of applicants. Complicating matters further, there was incomplete information regarding state and federal rules that has come to light only recently.

The result: Deadlines were pushed back and enforcement put off until STVR owners had a clear view of the rules they were now required to comply with. Out of necessity, the County has treated STVR enforcement as a time of “education” over the past two-plus years. Those days of grace, however, are over. Going forward, enforcement of the STVR Ordinance is the order of the day.

STVR Enforcement

County governments are now cracking down on noncompliant STVR homeowners who have yet to register their properties as required by law, fining them $500 per day. In addition, the County adds an administrative fee of just over $100 for each case.

Time is a very real issue, as getting the STVR paperwork through the State of Florida tax authorities can be time-consuming, often taking several weeks just for officials to return the property paperwork. This, of course, quickly becomes expensive with a fine of $500 per day. That said, the vast majority of cases presented to the Magistrate involved homes that have been noncompliant since 2023—or even before.

Process + Highlights + Cost

The STVR ordinance encompasses a wide range of requirements—from evacuation route signage to hard-wired emergency lighting to balcony inspections.

Fortunately, 360 Blue and Callista by 360 Blue homeowners don’t have to worry about keeping up with the associated paperwork or meeting deadlines. Our on-site staff has a thorough understanding of the certification process and they stay in regular contact with County officials. This is to say that we are committed to ensuring the process runs smoothly and that our homes are 100% certified. Finally, as a company, we enjoy strong relationships with local vendors, allowing us to secure bulk pricing on lighting and inspections. This, in turn, translates into cost savings for our homeowners.

Process + Highlights + Cost

The first steps in the STR certification process is for the homeowner to sign and notarize the “Affidavit of Compliance” and the “Agent Affidavit.” It’s important to note that these document does not transfer from one property management company to another.

Fees include:

• $300 fee for Walton County certificate.
• $280 for each emergency light to be installed. Note that the County requires a primary exit emergency lighting and an emergency lighting in each stairwell (thus, the cost may vary).
• $95 (first year only) for signage, administrative fees, etc. This does not include HOA signage, as those costs may vary.
   

Total cost: $675 (not including additional emergency lighting). Annual recertification is $300.

Certificate of Safety Cost + Requirements

• A balcony inspection is required every three years for homes that have three or more stories (regardless of whether or not the home has a third-story balcony). Cost: $125.
• Compliance with fire alarms/gate code.
• Compliance with fire extinguishers code.
• Compliance with emergency lighting in primary exit and egress stairwells code.
• Compliance with hard-wired smoke detector code.

Should you have any questions about the STVR certification process, we can help. 

Email: Management@360Blue.com

Call: 850-598-8360