Her home is now one of more than 180 permitted short-term rentals in the city.
The challenges she faced are a result of a nearly two-decade-old regulation that predates a state law prohibiting local restrictions on short-term rentals. Moreover, Fort Pierce is the only place in St. Lucie County that requires a local permit, and puts the fate of every Airbnb in the City Commission s hands. In Port St. Lucie and unincorporated St. Lucie County, residents need only to get a state license and pay certain taxes.
In addition to what Baker referred to as an egregious permitting process that makes people jump through hoops, she, as well as one other Black property owner in the city, said discrimination made it even harder to get the city s stamp of approval.