St. Pete Beach Hikes Fees for Big Projects and Boat Slip

Property owners in St. Pete Beach who plan large commercial or lodging projects will face higher costs to get city approval. The City Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 27 to adopt a new fee structure that ties planning and zoning charges to the scale of a project and the amount of staff review required.

The new ordinance establishes three tiers for conditional-use permits and two for hardship variances. The highest tier applies to hotels or lodging facilities taller than 50 feet or containing more than 30 units per buildable acre. It also covers commercial spaces exceeding 25,000 square feet. Applicants in this category must pay a base fee of $3,500. If the Planning Board must review the application, an additional $900 fee applies. These rates are substantially higher than the current range of $500 to $1,000 for similar permits.

Commissioners said the goal is to ensure large developers cover the labor costs associated with complex reviews while keeping fees accessible for smaller businesses. The change does not affect standard, smaller projects, which will fall into lower fee tiers based on their size and review complexity.

In a separate vote, the commission increased the monthly rent for a commercial boat slip at Merry Pier. The fishing charter Offshore Hustler will now pay $700 per month, up from $500. The previous rate was paid to a former leaseholder rather than the city directly. With another business leaving the pier, Offshore Hustler is the only commercial operator remaining under the old arrangement.

District 4 Commissioner Jon Maldonado proposed a rate of $875, or $25 per foot, arguing the city should charge more. The final vote was 4-1 in favor of the $700 rate, or $20 per foot. Mayor Scott Tate, Al Causey, Maldonado, and Karen Marriott voted yes. Vice Mayor Lisa Robinson voted no. The agreement is month-to-month while the city decides on a long-term lease strategy.

The commission also approved a conditional-use permit to upgrade Lift Station 4 near the Wharf Restaurant and Pass-a-Grille Marina. Staff estimated the project cost at $500,000, with $375,000 designated for flood protection. The approval includes removing the station’s fence, moving a curb, and removing part of a raised median. Maldonado supported the fence removal, calling it mostly decorative. Staff noted the project team must coordinate with Duke Energy to protect or move an electrical box, a change that could improve access to the marina.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.