St. Augustine Beach mayor hosts code enforcement overview; officer details Airbnb inspections and how to report violations

Mayor Beth Sweeney hosted a “Mondays with the Mayor” segment featuring Sam Farris, a Code Enforcement Officer for the City of St. Augustine Beach, who described the office’s duties and how residents can report problems.

Farris said the office is both proactive and complaint-driven. “So our role, we we’re proactive, and, we also take complaints in, from the citizens here,” he said, adding that one recurring task is inspecting short-term rentals. “One of the major things we have a few months out of the year is we inspect all the Airbnbs. And with that being said, make sure they're compliant, safety, fire regulations, all that stuff like that,” Farris said. He said the office also looks for illegal short-term rentals.

The officer identified tree inspections as another regular responsibility, noting a jurisdictional threshold: “Anything over, 30 inches in diameter, breast height. That's up to an arborist or planning and zoning that goes through,” Farris said.

When asked how residents should file complaints, Farris listed several options: email, the city website and the resident self-service portal, or mailed or dropped-off forms. “We try to make sure we, let the complaint know also what's going on along with the case as it's, progressing and when it ends or if it has been resolved,” he said.

Farris acknowledged many reports stem from neighbor disputes and said staff try to work with both sides toward a resolution. “They are most time, they are valid... and, we get through it though and, try to work with both of them and have a happy ending towards the end where everybody feels like they won,” he said.

Mayor Sweeney thanked Farris for the explanation and closed the segment, which she said will return next Monday.

The City of St. Augustine Beach did not announce any new ordinances or formal actions during the segment; the discussion focused on informing residents about code enforcement duties and reporting options.