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City requires structural, electrical inspections prior to occupancy

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners unanimously approved an emergency resolution on Thursday afternoon that will allow residential occupancy only following satisfactory structural and electrical inspections.

The resolution stated that no occupancy will be permitted in any structure until the following conditions are met:

  • Structural inspection: Any structure built after Dec. 31, 2002 shall be inspected by a Florida licensed general contractor to determine if it is safe to occupy; and any structure built prior to Dec. 31, 2002 shall be inspected by a Florida licensed engineer to determine if it is safe to occupy.
  • Electrical inspection: All structures shall be inspected by a licensed electrician to determine if they are safe to occupy.

A third stipulation was added after City Building Official Darin Cushing, who is a certified inspector, said, “I do not feel that every single structure in this town needs a structural engineer to look at it, by any means. There are quite a few, but not every one. If we can determine that locally, these are ones we’re not sure of, you’ll have to get an engineer,” Cushing said.

He said he highly recommended that everyone have an electrician certify the safety of the electrical system before the power is restored to those properties affected by Hurricane Helene.

“Structurally there are some that are completely gone and I’ve put a red tag on them. There are others that if they’re questionable, then yes, we’re going to say before you can occupy that building let’s get a structural engineer out here,” he said.

City attorney Ricinda Perry added the following stipulations to the resolution: “In the event alternative inspections are needed, or alternative procedures for safety are needed, then the building official may in his determination provide an alternative process to determine if a structure is safe.”

The city will be waiving local permit fees. To expedite the permitting process, Cushing said he has the ability to issue handwritten permits.

City officials said there will be no moratorium on rentals in Bradenton Beach.

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Holmes Beach officials issue occupancy violations

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Police and code enforcement officers are cracking down on vacation rental occupancy violators.

As of July 5, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said seven notices of violation have been issued to property owners advertising for more than the legally allowable occupancy limits or for improper length of stay. Per the vacation rental ordinance, Holmes Beach allows two people per bedroom or six total per unit, whichever is greater.

Short-term rentals are allowed to rent for seven days or more. Rentals in other residential districts are allowed for 30 days or more.

Tokajer said the department sent letters to property owners advising them of the city’s intent to enforce occupancy and the requirement to post vacation rental certificate numbers on all advertising.

Though a notice of violation does not carry a fine, recipients are given a 72-hour grace period to correct the issue before it escalates to a special magistrate hearing where a fine would be imposed.

To identify violators, Tokajer said officers are combing through rentals advertisements and comparing them with building permits, business tax receipts and vacation rental certificates.

“All we’re looking for is people to come into compliance with the ordinance,” he said.