Short-Term Rental Rules in St. Petersburg, FL
Can you operate a short-term rental here?
Restricted — under-30-day stays capped at 3 per year in residential zoning
11 of the 14 rules below could not be confirmed from the official code text in our last pass and are marked as needing verification. We would rather tell you that than fill the gap with a guess.
The rules, one by one
| Requirement | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum stay | Stays under 30 days count toward the 3-per-365-days capNeeds verification | — |
| City registration required | No separate short-term rental certificate identifiedNeeds verification | — |
| State licence required | Yes — DBPR vacation rental licence where rentals are permittedVerified from official source | — |
| City business tax receipt | Expected for any business operating in the cityNeeds verification | — |
| Way around the cap | Licensed hotel or motel classification, or a property inside an approved Resort Facilities Overlay districtNeeds verification | — |
| Inspection required | Not confirmed at city levelNeeds verification | — |
| Occupancy limit | Not confirmed from the city codeNeeds verification | — |
| Parking | Not confirmed from the city codeNeeds verification | — |
| Local responsible party | Not confirmedNeeds verification | — |
| Advertising rules | Not confirmedNeeds verification | — |
| Taxes | 13% total — 6% state sales tax, 1% Pinellas surtax, 6% county tourist development taxVerified from official source | — |
| Unincorporated Pinellas County | Separate regime: Certificate of Use, inspection every 2 years, 2 people per bedroom plus 2 up to 10, 1 parking space per 3 occupants, 24-hour responsible party, licence and certificate numbers in all advertising (Ordinance 25-15, effective 8 August 2025)Verified from official source | — |
| Who regulates this | City of St. Petersburg Planning & Zoning; Pinellas County Tax Collector for tourist taxNeeds verification | — |
What to do next
- Confirm the property's zoning and any HOA or condominium restrictions — these are often stricter than the city rules.
- Apply for the Florida DBPR vacation rental licence.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax.
- Open a tourist development tax account with the county tax collector.
- Complete the city registration or business tax receipt and pass any required inspection.
- Post the required information inside the unit and name your local responsible party.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with the authorities listed before you take bookings.
Official sources
- Zoning Resources and Land Development Regulations
City of St. Petersburg · retrieved September 10, 2026 · Transient accommodation use rules
- Discretionary Sales Surtax Information 2026
Florida Department of Revenue · retrieved September 10, 2026 · 1% Pinellas discretionary surtax
- Tourist Development Taxes
Pinellas County Tax Collector · retrieved September 10, 2026 · 6% county tourist development tax
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