What are the key requirements for Port St. Lucie hosts?

You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.

What should Port St. Lucie hosts know about airbnb and vrbo may not?

Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.

What should Port St. Lucie hosts know about condo and hoa rules often?

Condo and HOA rules often override city regulations and may strictly prohibit STRs even if the city does not.

Port St. Lucie

Permissive

STRs Allowed

FloridaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Verified: Feb 5, 2026

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Summary

Port St. Lucie does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, but hosts must obtain city and county business tax receipts, a state vacation rental license, and register for local tourist taxes.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 5 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

While Port St. Lucie lacks a specific 'Airbnb permit' system, you are still legally required to register as a business. You must get a vacation rental license from the state (DBPR), business tax receipts from both the city and the county, and set up an account to pay the 5% county tourism tax and 7% sales tax.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$50

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

•Port St Lucie does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.
•Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following zones: Residential districts.

Requirements(8)

•Port St Lucie requires STR registration. Apply at: https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/financial-management/business-tax Renewal: annual.
•Port St Lucie STR warning: Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.

Application Process(7)

•Port St Lucie STR permit - Step 2: Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License. Apply for a state-level license for a 'Vacation Rental - Dwelling' or 'Condo' through the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Required documents: Floor plan, Proof of safety compliance. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: $170.

Fees & Costs(3)

•Florida charges a registration fee of $170 (annual).
•Port St Lucie charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).
•St. Lucie County charges a registration fee of $45 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Florida charges a state-level Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.06%.
•St. Lucie County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.05%.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Port St Lucie requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, noise restrictions (Quiet hours per general noise ordinance).

Penalties(1)

•Port St Lucie enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: Varies by code enforcement. Subsequent violations: Fines up to $250 per day.

Exemptions(1)

•Port St Lucie exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term stays (30+ days), Rentals for more than 6 months are exempt from TDT with a bona fide lease.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Florida

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in the City of Orlando are strictly regulated under 'Home-Sharing' rules, which require the property to be the host's primary residence. Hosts must be present on-site during the rental and are only permitted to rent out a portion of their home (e.g., a spare bedroom) rather than the entire unit.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Hollywood

Florida

Moderate

The City of Hollywood, FL requires all vacation rental hosts to obtain a specific Vacation Rental License under Chapter 119 of the Municipal Code. This includes an initial $500 fee, annual inspections, and strict adherence to occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Fort Myers

Florida

Permissive

The City of Fort Myers does not currently have a specific municipal ordinance regulating or prohibiting short-term rentals. Hosts must instead focus on compliance with Florida State (DBPR) licensing and Lee County Tourist Development Tax requirements.

0.1% total tax

St. Pete Beach

Florida

Moderate

St. Pete Beach requires all vacation rentals to obtain a local Business Tax Receipt and maintain state/county licenses. While allowed city-wide, properties in most residential districts are strictly limited in how many times they can be rented per year (maximum of 3 times per 12-month period in certain zones).

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Port St. Lucie

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

Requirements(8)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(3)

Taxes(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(1)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Port St. Lucie

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Port St. Lucie?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Port St. Lucie?

3How do I get a vacation rental license in Port St. Lucie?

4What are the STR ordinances in Port St. Lucie?

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