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St. Pete Beach

Florida · United States
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — St. Pete Beach Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax Rate6% Florida State Sales Tax + Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax (applicable local rate). Total combined rate typically ~11–13% — verify current P
Night / Day Cap3 rentals per year of under 30 days permitted in Residential Medium (RM) and Pass-a-Grille Overlay districts only. Unlimited rentals allowed if each s
Minimum StayMinimum 30 days in most zones. In RM and Pass-a-Grille overlay zones, stays under 30 days are allowed but capped at 3 per year.
Permit FeeFlorida DBPR license fee applies statewide. Local STR registration/certificate fee payable to City of St. Pete Beach. Pinellas County tourist tax regi
PenaltiesCode violations may result in fines. Operating an STR without proper DBPR license or in a prohibited zone subject to state and local enforcement actio
Primary Residence RequiredNo explicit primary-residence requirement, but rentals are heavily zone-restricted, effectively limiting casual investor use.
Occupancy LimitOccupancy limits apply per unit size under Florida Building Code and local safety requirements.
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St. Pete Beach Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

St. Pete Beach Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in St. Pete Beach, Florida are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Florida DBPR license fee applies statewide. Local STR registration/certificate fee payable to City o.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in St. Pete Beach

Short-term rental operators in St. Pete Beach should be aware of these tax obligations: 6% Florida State Sales Tax + Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax (applicable local rate). Total combined rate typically ~11–13% — verify current Pinellas County TDT rate..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in St. Pete Beach

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in St. Pete Beach include: Primary residence requirement: No explicit primary-residence requirement, but rentals are heavily zone-restricted, effectively limiting casual investor. Rental day cap: 3 rentals per year of under 30 days permitted in Residential Medium (RM) and Pass-a-Grille Overlay districts only. Unlim. Occupancy limit: Occupancy limits apply per unit size under Florida Building Code and local safety requirements.. Minimum stay: Minimum 30 days in most zones. In RM and Pass-a-Grille overlay zones, stays under 30 days are allowed but capped at 3 pe.

Zoning and Location Requirements in St. Pete Beach

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in St. Pete Beach: HIGHLY RESTRICTED: Short-term rentals under 30 days are PROHIBITED in most residential zoning districts. Permitted only in Residential Medium (RM) zones and the Pass-a-Grille Overlay district, and onl. Density rules: No explicit density or permit-cap rule identified beyond zoning limitations.. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated by city ordinance language found; Florida DBPR standards and general liabili.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in St. Pete Beach

Hosts who fail to comply with St. Pete Beach's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Code violations may result in fines. Operating an STR without proper DBPR license or in a prohibited zone subject to state and local enforcement action..

Platform Obligations in St. Pete Beach

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in St. Pete Beach: Platforms may collect and remit state sales tax under Florida marketplace facilitator rules; hosts must verify Pinellas County TDT compliance independently..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Florida DBPR license fee applies statewide. Local STR registration/certificate fee payable to City of St. Pete Beach. Pinellas County tourist tax registration required.
Primary Residence Rule
No explicit primary-residence requirement, but rentals are heavily zone-restricted, effectively limiting casual investor use.
Night / Day Cap
3 rentals per year of under 30 days permitted in Residential Medium (RM) and Pass-a-Grille Overlay districts only. Unlimited rentals allowed if each stay is 30 days or longer.
Occupancy Limit
Occupancy limits apply per unit size under Florida Building Code and local safety requirements.
Tax Rate
6% Florida State Sales Tax + Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax (applicable local rate). Total combined rate typically ~11–13% — verify current Pinellas County TDT rate.
Zoning Restrictions
HIGHLY RESTRICTED: Short-term rentals under 30 days are PROHIBITED in most residential zoning districts. Permitted only in Residential Medium (RM) zones and the Pass-a-Grille Overlay district, and only up to 3 times per year. In all other zones, minimum rental period is 30 days. Condo associations may impose even stricter rules.
Minimum Stay
Minimum 30 days in most zones. In RM and Pass-a-Grille overlay zones, stays under 30 days are allowed but capped at 3 per year.
Density Rules
No explicit density or permit-cap rule identified beyond zoning limitations.
Insurance Required
Not explicitly mandated by city ordinance language found; Florida DBPR standards and general liability coverage strongly recommended.
Platform Obligations
Platforms may collect and remit state sales tax under Florida marketplace facilitator rules; hosts must verify Pinellas County TDT compliance independently.
Compliance Notes
St. Pete Beach is among the most restrictive STR jurisdictions in Florida. Florida's 2011 state preemption law generally restricts local governments from banning STRs outright or regulating frequency/duration — however, St. Pete Beach's regulations were grandfathered (enacted prior to June 1, 2011), preserving the city's strict zoning and frequency limits. Florida DBPR vacation rental license is still required for publicly advertised short stays. Hosts must confirm their specific zoning district before listing.
Effective Date
Current ordinance active; grandfathered pre-2011. Official STR Rules & Regulations page maintained at stpetebeach.org.
Key Notes
Do not confuse St. Pete Beach (its own municipality) with City of St. Petersburg (separate jurisdiction with different rules). Unincorporated Pinellas County has its own STR Certificate of Use program (pinellas.gov/str). St. Pete Beach's 3-rentals-per-year cap in limited zones is one of the strictest frequency limits in Florida.
Penalties
Code violations may result in fines. Operating an STR without proper DBPR license or in a prohibited zone subject to state and local enforcement action.
Additional Context
Pinellas County (for unincorporated areas) launched a Certificate of Use program requiring registration for properties rented <30 days more than 3 times/year (pinellas.gov/str). Quiet hours under Pinellas County Noise Ordinance: 10 PM–9 AM. HOA/condo rules may be more restrictive than city rules.
Sources
City of St. Pete Beach — Official STR Rules & Regulations page: https://www.stpetebeach.org/438/Short-Term-Rental-Rules-Regulations | St. Pete Beach Code of Ordinances via Municode: https://library.municode.com/fl/st._pete_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances | Pinellas County STR Certificate of Use Program (official): https://pinellas.gov/str/
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in St. Pete Beach?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in St. Pete Beach but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. St. Pete Beach is among the most restrictive STR jurisdictions in Florida. Florida's 2011 state preemption law generally restricts local governments from banning STRs outright or regulating frequency/

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in St. Pete Beach?

Yes. St. Pete Beach requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in St. Pete Beach?

Short-term rental hosts in St. Pete Beach are subject to the following tax obligations: 6% Florida State Sales Tax + Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax (applicable local rate). Total combined rate typically ~11–13% — verify current Pinellas County TDT rate..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in St. Pete Beach?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in St. Pete Beach may face enforcement. Code violations may result in fines. Operating an STR without proper DBPR license or in a prohibited zone subject to state and local enforcement action..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in St. Pete Beach?

Do not confuse St. Pete Beach (its own municipality) with City of St. Petersburg (separate jurisdiction with different rules). Unincorporated Pinellas County has its own STR Certificate of Use program (pinellas.gov/str). St. Pete Beach's 3-rentals-per-year cap in limited zones is one of the strictest frequency limits in Florida.

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