| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License + City Business Tax Receipt (or County Certificate of Use for unincorporated areas). |
| Tax Rate | 13% total transient tax (6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Pinellas County discretionary surtax, and 6% local Tourist Development Tax). |
| Night / Day Cap | No cap on total rental days, but frequency is strictly capped in permitted residential zones. |
| Minimum Stay | 30-day minimum stay in most traditional residential neighborhoods (stays under 30 days count toward the 3-rentals-per-year frequency cap). |
| Permit Fee | For unincorporated areas, the County Certificate of Use is a $450 application fee plus a ~$150 safety inspection fee. City BTR fees vary by size. |
| Penalties | Operating in violation of city zoning or running an unregistered transient rental results in fines up to $1,000+ per day and potential property liens. |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
| Occupancy Limit | Typically limited to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to building safety codes. |
Short-term rentals in St. Petersburg, 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 — Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License + City Business Tax Receipt (or County Certificate of Use for unincorporated areas).. The associated permit fees are For unincorporated areas, the County Certificate of Use is a $450 application fee plus a ~$150 safet.
Short-term rental operators in St. Petersburg should be aware of these tax obligations: 13% total transient tax (6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Pinellas County discretionary surtax, and 6% local Tourist Development Tax).. Yes — must register with the Florida Dept of Revenue (for sales tax) and Pinellas County Tax Collector (for TDT)..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in St. Petersburg include: Primary residence requirement: No. Rental day cap: No cap on total rental days, but frequency is strictly capped in permitted residential zones.. Occupancy limit: Typically limited to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to building safety codes.. Minimum stay: 30-day minimum stay in most traditional residential neighborhoods (stays under 30 days count toward the 3-rentals-per-ye.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in St. Petersburg: Stays of less than 30 days are prohibited in municipal residential zones. In zones where short-term occupancy is allowed, rentals are strictly capped at a maximum frequency of 3 occupancies per 365 da. Density rules: Strict zoning boundaries and frequency limits restrict density within the city.. Insurance: Recommended (commercial liability covering transient occupancy is standard)..
Hosts who fail to comply with St. Petersburg's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating in violation of city zoning or running an unregistered transient rental results in fines up to $1,000+ per day and potential property liens..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in St. Petersburg: Platforms collect state sales taxes automatically, but hosts are responsible for ensuring the 6% county TDT is collected and remitted..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in St. Petersburg but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Unincorporated properties must secure a Certificate of Use, undergo a mandatory safety inspection, and post emergency contact info. HOA bylaws may ban STRs regardless of zoning.
Yes. St. Petersburg requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License + City Business Tax Receipt (or County Certificate of Use for unincorporated areas)..
Short-term rental hosts in St. Petersburg are subject to the following tax obligations: 13% total transient tax (6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Pinellas County discretionary surtax, and 6% local Tourist Development Tax)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in St. Petersburg may face enforcement. Operating in violation of city zoning or running an unregistered transient rental results in fines up to $1,000+ per day and potential property liens..
The 3-rentals-per-365-days rule in St. Petersburg city limits is one of the most restrictive frequency caps in Florida, designed to curb casual vacation rentals in residential areas.
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