Update: Airbnb has reached a settlement with the City of Miami Beach that can only be understood as having covered their ass by providing a fraction in settlement in comparison of the millions in fines Miami Beach has levied on them since the $20,000 fine for advertising STR’s went into affect. Airbnb never submitted a dime of these fines, so I’m sure somewhere in this settlement they were waived. Airbnb agreed to a $380,000 settlement with the City, and will now require all hosts in Miami Beach display in their listing the City’s BTR (business tax receipt) licensing. The City clearly knowing that 95% of the zoning in our City banns STRs, has on the same day of this Airbnb settlement that they have passed a criminalization statue - whereby submitting a false BTR number on line will be charged with criminal submission of an affidavit, 60 days in jail and or up to $500 fine. The lawsuit specifies that Airbnb is not required to verify the host provided BTR numbers - that was part of Airbnb’s basis for the lawsuit initially. As for now, Airbnb has notified all Miami Beach host’s that listing will be deactivated on 8/7 if no BTR number is provided. The screen to submit a BTR on Airbnb discloses that your submission “may be” provided to the City for verification… The Mayor is gloating and release an immediate press statement claiming victory over illegal STRs, saying they City is protecting the quality of life against bad acting STR operators - meanwhile on the same day they voted for a zoning variance for a hotel developer to double the size of the former allowable height. Exceptions for developers are expected, exceptions for the average Joe wanting to rent out their home are scoffed at. Funny town to be living in, a city based on tourism that won’t let its residents participate in that economy.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/302415-airbnb-settlement-miami-beach-rental-restrictions
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article233436012.html