That’s where Granicus’ Short-Term Rental solutions make a measurable difference. In my district, these tools helped us turn overwhelming challenges into actionable solutions — and ultimately, into stronger community protection.
Finding what’s hidden
At first glance, STRs look like ordinary houses. But behind those doors, there may be 10 bedrooms, 20 guests, and no working smoke alarms. Without data, districts underestimate the true scope of their STR landscape.
In one Florida county, people estimated a few hundred rentals. Using Granicus’ STR monitoring tools, we discovered closer to 5,000 active listings. That visibility was the first step in managing risk and enforcing fair safety standards.
Making inspections count
After hurricanes, we often face hundreds of homes tagged “uninhabitable.” The question is: Which ones really are?
By layering inspection workflows with Granicus’ STR property records and monitoring data, we could quickly separate homes that were safe from those that weren’t. Instead of spending months chasing false leads, inspectors focused on properties that truly needed attention — accelerating recovery and restoring trust.
Building the case for compliance
Our district once faced a year-long lawsuit over STR assessments. The deciding factor? Data.
Because Granicus’ STR solutions provided verified property-use data, we had more than opinions — we had proof of how STRs were operating, the risks they posed, and the resources required to keep guests safe. That evidence helped us win in court and secure over $3 million in new annual revenue.
Turning mandates into resources
Many fire districts see state inspection mandates as unfunded burdens. But when we applied Granicus’ STR insights, we showed how compliance could fund itself.
With accurate property counts, monitoring, and reporting, STRs contributed their fair share, which covered inspector staffing, new equipment, and safety programs. What started as a daunting mandate became a sustainable model.
The bottom line
Fire districts don’t collect data for the sake of spreadsheets. We collect it to save lives, strengthen trust, and secure resources for the communities we protect.
With Granicus’ Short-Term Rental solutions, we’ve been able to:
- Identify risks before they become emergencies.
- Direct resources where they’ll have the most impact.
- Prove the value of compliance in court and in the community.
- Respond faster and smarter when disasters strike.
Data isn’t just numbers on a page — it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to keep people safe. And with the right technology, fire districts can turn data into safer neighborhoods, stronger funding, and greater peace of mind.
