INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The city of Indian Rocks Beach is bringing in record-setting revenue from owners and operators of short-term rentals through both registration fees and ordinance violations.

What You Need To Know

Short-term rental operators with a potential violation must go before a special magistrate

The city of Indian Rocks Beach asks for maximum fine of $5,000 for each rental with a violation

Most common violations include safety inspections and not registering rentals properly

GO HERE FOR MORE: Updated vacation rental ordinance

So far in the 2026 fiscal year, the city has brought in over $176,000 in short-term rental registration fees and an additional almost $70,000 in fines through hearings with the special magistrate.

Ryan Henderson, city manager for Indian Rocks Beach, says since he stepped into the role six months ago, the city has ramped up enforcement for short-term rentals. He says the city is now holding two special magistrate hearings each month with code enforcement, where homeowners who violate the city’s short-term rental ordinance are subject to a potential fine.

Henderson says his goal is to have the operators of 15 properties scheduled for each hearing. The maximum fine a homeowner can face is $5,000.

“We ask for that maximum. Every time you come before the special magistrate with a property we ask for the maximum levy of fines against you,” Henderson said. “We’ve been very successful in identifying those properties that are currently non-compliant, bringing them to the special magistrate and getting them compliant, and making sure they renew on an annual basis.”

Code Enforcement officers also review listings on popular vacation rental websites to make sure they properly registered all homes listed for rent, in addition to investigating potential violations neighbors reported.

“We’re doing everything we can, and we’ve just taken our game up a notch when it comes to enforcement of our short-term rental ordinance in Indian Rocks Beach,” Henderson said.

The city manager in Indian Rocks Beach told me they want their Short Term Rental ordinance followed and will ‘go to the end of the world’ to do so.

The city has ramped up enforcement big-time, bringing in over $200K in registration fees and fines over the last 6 months @bn9 pic.twitter.com/CWrqA5QTZC

— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) April 20, 2026

To get a property registered, inspected, and ready to list as a short-term rental costs about $475. Henderson said the city is looking at possibly increasing those fees in the future. He says the city is also prepared to fight any legal action that could come from vacation rental owners and operators.

“For us, it’s the cost of doing business,” Henderson said. “Our short-term rental ordinance is important. So somebody may receive a fine and try and fight it, but we’re going to fight back. We want our ordinance to be followed … and will go to the end of the world to do so.”

After last month’s election, all city commissioners support the increase in enforcement of the city’s short-term rental ordinance. 

“I have no problem with someone else renting and trying to make money — and making money off an investment,” said homeowner Kevin Crance. “They gotta pay their bills back somehow, and this is the world we live in.”

All fees collected by the city are going to the city’s general fund to support code enforcement operations.