Comprehensive Plan Policies

Housing Element

St. Pete Beach has about 7,350 residential dwelling units in the city, of which more than 3,500 are condominium units. The city strives to ensure that a variety of good housing is available to serve the permanent and seasonal residents can enjoy. The following goals, objectives and policies regarding housing have been adopted by the City Commission:

Goal 1

The City shall provide decent, safe and sanitary housing in suitable neighborhoods at affordable costs to meet the needs of the present and future residents of the City, free from arbitrary discrimination because of race, sex, handicap, ethnic background, age, marital status or household composition.

Objective 1.1

In accordance with this Comprehensive Plan the City shall continue to provide technical assistance to the private sector so that they will be able to provide a suitable mix of housing types and numbers to meet the City's housing needs as well as making all housing sites in the City available to low and moderate income families.

Policy 1.1.1

The City shall provide technical information for use by the private sector.

Policy 1.1.2

The City shall periodically review ordinances, codes, regulations and permitting processes in order to increase the efficiency and economy of meeting the housing needs of the City, while continuing to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the residents.

Policy 1.1.3

The City shall continue to allow a variety of residential densities and housing types in order to enhance the opportunity for the private sector to provide housing in a wide range of types and costs.

Policy 1.1.4

Because the City of St. Pete Beach suffers physical and economic constraints beyond its control that prevent efforts to provide affordable housing in accordance with the requirements of Rule 9J-5, the City shall continue to work with neighboring communities and continue its support of the public transportation system.

Objective 1.2

In accordance with this Comprehensive Plan the City shall attempt to increase the opportunity for all citizens to purchase or rent decent, safe and sanitary housing which they can afford, free from arbitrary discrimination because of race, sex, handicap, ethnic background, age, marital status or household composition.

Policy 1.2.1

The City shall continue to support and enforce Fair Housing legislation, as may be enacted or amended periodically, to include age, handicap and household composition in addition to race, sex, national origin and religion.

Policy 1.2.2

The City shall facilitate the notification of enforcement agencies whenever housing discrimination is encountered.

Objective 1.3

Group homes shall continue to be permitted within suitable locations to insure that the needs of the City residents requiring such housing are met.

Policy 1.3.1

The City shall establish non-discriminatory standards and criteria addressing the location of group homes and foster care facilities where appropriate.

Policy 1.3.2

The City shall review, and amend if warranted, the zoning codes so that different classes of group homes will be permitted in appropriate residential neighborhoods where the class of group homes is necessary to meet the needs of the City residents.

Objective 1.4

In accordance with this comprehensive plan the City shall work to extend the useful life of the existing housing stock while maintaining the neighborhood quality through land development regulations.

Policy 1.4.1

The City shall periodically review and amend, where necessary, the housing and health codes and other standards relating to care and maintenance of residential and neighborhood environments and facilities.

Policy 1.4.2

The City shall encourage individual homeowners to increase private reinvestment in housing by providing information and technical assistance programs.

Policy 1.4.3

The City shall, in as much as FEMA regulations permit, allow for older, traditionally non-conforming, residential structures to be rebuilt and maintained as domiciles at their existing densities.

Objective 1.5

The City shall continue to provide uniform and equitable treatment for persons and businesses displaced by state and local government programs consistent with Sec. 421.55, FS.

Policy 1.5.1

The City shall insure that reasonably located, standard housing at affordable costs is available to persons displaced through public action prior to their displacement.

Policy 1.5.2

Before approving the taking of private residential property, the City Commission shall review the current housing market to assure that standard housing, at affordable cost is available to displaced persons.

Objective 1.6

As an ongoing objective, the City shall eliminate any substandard housing that may exist.

Policy 1.6.1

The City shall maintain or increase code enforcement activities, through regular inspections of the housing stock.

Policy 1.6.2

The City shall encourage housing improvement and replacement projects through the land development regulations.

Policy 1.6.3

In accordance with the Standard Existing Building Code, buildings left vacant for a time period exceeding 2 years shall be analyzed prior to re-occupancy for hazards affecting the safe use and occupancy of the dwelling unit.

Objective 1.7

The City shall assist property owners in the identification, preservation, and protection of historical and architecturally significant housing with the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan.

Policy 1.7.1

By providing referral to the appropriate governmental and other agencies, the City shall assist property owners in the identification of historically significant structures.

Policy 1.7.2

The City shall assist property owners of historically or architecturally significant housing in applying for and utilizing state and federal assistance programs.