by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Currently, the City of Sanibel has identified approximately 360 addresses that may be noncompliant as short-term rentals and is in the process of confirming violations and notifying property owners.
The Land Development Code allows the “rental of a dwelling unit by one family for periods of no less than four consecutive weeks.” In the Resort Housing District, rentals are permitted for less than four weeks.
Sanibel Code Enforcement uses a software system to assist with licensing enforcement for short-term rental properties. An outside consultant uses the system twice weekly to verify compliance.
The software scans hundreds of rental websites to identify short-term rental properties on Sanibel and flags addresses that may be unlicensed or otherwise noncompliant with rental requirements. Code enforcement staff then researches each identified address to verify compliance.
The City initially sends a warning letter or email to the property owner, followed by a phone call, to encourage voluntary compliance. If compliance is not achieved, a code enforcement case is opened.
Code Enforcement is currently working with the 360 noncompliant addresses.
Currently, there are 1,823 short-term rental units on Sanibel, with 27 new ones in the last 30 days. In total, there are 2,094 short- and long-term rental properties.