Frustration reached a boiling point in St. Pete Beach this week as residents and business owners demanded city leaders accelerate the permitting process for storm-damaged properties after suffering huge losses from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While the gathering at city hall on Tuesday night wasn’t labeled a protest, it was clear that attendees came with a unified message: pick up the pace.

The group, which included residents, hotel and restaurant workers, and local business owners, marched from a nearby post office to city hall, urging officials to streamline the process for issuing permits. Among them was Matthew Vario, owner of The Toasted Monkey bar, which has been shuttered for months while waiting for the necessary permits to begin repairs.

READ: Frustrated IRB, Pinellas Property Owners Still Wading Through Red Tape to Make Repairs

“Imagine not only losing your job, but still having to pay into it,” Vario explained. “I don’t have income coming in, and many of my employees have not only lost their homes but also their jobs.”

Vario said he filed for permits weeks ago but is still waiting for approval—a common story among property owners on the beach. He, like many others, is calling on the city to expedite the process so businesses can reopen and residents can rebuild their lives.

A Surge in Permits Overwhelms City Hall

City officials acknowledged the delays but pointed to a significant spike in demand as a major factor. St. Pete Beach Public Information Officer Marc Portugal explained that permit applications have tripled since the storm.

“In the year prior to the storm, we processed around 2,700 permits,” Portugal said. “Since the storm, we’ve received 300% more applications.”

READ: IRB City Hall to Close for Extended Holiday Amidst State of Emergency; Madeira Beach Pushes Forward with Permits

Portugal also noted that storm-related permits are inherently more complex than standard repair permits, often requiring compliance with FEMA regulations and the 50% rule, which dictates whether structures must be elevated to meet updated flood standards.

To address the backlog, the city requested 18 additional staff members from the state, including building inspectors. So far, 11 have been approved, which officials hope will alleviate some of the delays.

Hope Amid Uncertainty

Despite the city’s explanation, residents and business owners like Vario remain eager for faster action. For many, the delays are more than just an inconvenience—they represent a prolonged period of uncertainty and financial hardship.

READ: St. Pete Takes Steps to Simplify Post-Storm Rebuilding

“It’s about giving us hope,” Vario said. “Whether it speeds up the city’s process or not, at least we’ll feel like we’re being heard and not just stuck in homes and businesses that have been ripped apart.”

As the city works to clear the permitting bottleneck, the community’s patience wears thin. But their determination to rebuild and recover remains steadfast, and their calls for action are louder than ever.

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(Image credit: Fox 13 News Tampa Bay)