Key West is enforcing a long-standing agreement that ends short-term, or transient, rentals in the exclusive Truman Annex neighborhood. As of December 22nd, property owners in this gated community can no longer rent their properties for periods shorter than one month, marking the conclusion of a 20-year special provision.
Key Takeaways
- Transient rental rights for Truman Annex properties expired on December 22nd.
- This change is due to a 2005 legal settlement that granted a 20-year window for short-term rentals.
- Property owners can now only rent their units on a monthly or longer-term basis.
- City officials are upholding the agreement, citing concerns about potential lawsuits if extended.
End of an Era for Truman Annex Rentals
The Truman Annex neighborhood, a unique area within Key West, had been granted special permission to allow weekly rentals since 2005. This arrangement stemmed from a legal settlement that provided property owners with a 20-year window for transient rental rights. This period, which felt distant in 2005, has now concluded, bringing the neighborhood in line with the city’s general regulations for rentals.
The Legal Settlement and Its Expiration
The 2005 settlement agreement was reached after years of legal disputes. It allowed approximately 300 property owners in the Truman Annex to offer their units for weekly rentals, a significantly more lucrative option than the monthly rentals permitted elsewhere in the city without special licenses. The special transient rental license, tied to this settlement, officially expired on December 22nd.
City Notification and Future Rental Options
City officials formally notified Truman Annex property owners of the impending expiration in early December. The notification stated that all transient licenses would be rendered inactive and void as of December 22nd, prohibiting any further short-term rental advertising or operation. Property owners and managers are now required to return their city-issued medallions by February 1st, 2026. For those wishing to rent their properties, the option of obtaining a non-transient license for long-term (monthly) rentals is available for a nominal fee of $16.65.
Opposition to Extending Rental Rights
Despite some efforts by property owners to advocate for an extension of their transient rental privileges, city officials have maintained a firm stance. Commissioners have expressed concerns that granting special exceptions to Truman Annex would likely lead to numerous lawsuits from other property owners seeking similar rights. They emphasize that the original agreement provided adequate notice and that honoring the 2005 settlement is crucial to avoid setting a problematic precedent and opening a "Pandora’s box" of rental disputes.
Sources
- TIME’S UP FOR TRANSIENT RENTALS IN KEY WEST’S TRUMAN ANNEX, Keys Weekly Newspapers.