Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Apalachicola?

**Yes**, Apalachicola requires a Vacation Rental Permit for short-term rentals as defined under Section 101-168. You need to apply for this permit through the city and pass a safety inspection before operating. Failure to obtain the required permit may result in fines, so ensure compliance.

What is the TOT tax rate in Apalachicola?

**2% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Apalachicola. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city in addition to county and state taxes. Contact the city finance department for specific instructions on remitting taxes.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Apalachicola?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Apalachicola, but they are regulated under Section 101-168 of the Land Development Code. You need to obtain a Vacation Rental Permit, pass a safety inspection, and collect/remit all applicable taxes. Check with the city planning department for any zoning restrictions.

How much does an STR permit cost in Apalachicola?

**$200** is the fee for the Vacation Rental Permit in Apalachicola. You need to pay this fee when submitting your application to the city. This permit is required to legally operate a short-term rental, as defined under Section 101-168 of the Land Development Code. Safety inspections are required.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Apalachicola?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host short-term rentals on Airbnb in Apalachicola. The regulations specify that only property owners can obtain a Vacation Rental Permit and operate a short-term rental. Renters are not eligible to apply for the permit under Section 101-168 of the Land Development Code.

Apalachicola

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals are regulated in the City of Apalachicola under Section 101-168 of the Land Development Code. Hosts must obtain a city-specific Vacation Rental Permit, pass a safety inspection, and remit a 2% local Transient Occupancy Tax in addition to county and state taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time14-30 days

8 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must verify if your property is within the CITY limits or the UNINCORPORATED county; city rules are stricter.
2Airbnb/VRBO do NOT collect the 2% City Transient Occupancy Tax; you must remit this manually to the City Finance Dept.
3A local contact person living within 25 miles must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints.
4Occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, maxing out at 10 people.
5One off-street parking space is required per vacation rental bedroom.
6Your permit number must be displayed in the first line of your listing description.
7Trash must be kept in screened containers and only placed at the curb on pick-up days.
8The 2% City tax is due by the 20th of the following month, even if you had zero bookings.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Apalachicola prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Boats (unless permitted as floating home), Accessory structures not meeting code.
Apalachicola does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Apalachicola does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements23 rules

Apalachicola STR warning: Trash must be kept in screened containers and only placed at the curb on pick-up days.
Apalachicola STR warning: One off-street parking space is required per vacation rental bedroom.
Apalachicola STR warning: Your permit number must be displayed in the first line of your listing description.

Application process11 rules

Apalachicola extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee

Fees & costs1 rule

Apalachicola charges a registration fee of $200 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual renewal fee).

Taxes4 rules

Florida has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Apalachicola: The 2% City tax is due by the 20th of the following month, even if you had zero bookings.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Apalachicola: Occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, maxing out at 10 people.
Apalachicola occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Apalachicola limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Apalachicola requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, First aid kit, Evacuation map posted, Egress windows clear.

Penalties3 rules

Apalachicola, FL: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Apalachicola: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Apalachicola, FL: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Apalachicola: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Apalachicola exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Apalachicola

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time14-30 days

8 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must verify if your property is within the CITY limits or the UNINCORPORATED county; city rules are stricter.
2Airbnb/VRBO do NOT collect the 2% City Transient Occupancy Tax; you must remit this manually to the City Finance Dept.
3A local contact person living within 25 miles must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints.
4Occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, maxing out at 10 people.
5One off-street parking space is required per vacation rental bedroom.
6Your permit number must be displayed in the first line of your listing description.
7Trash must be kept in screened containers and only placed at the curb on pick-up days.
8The 2% City tax is due by the 20th of the following month, even if you had zero bookings.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Apalachicola prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Boats (unless permitted as floating home), Accessory structures not meeting code.
Apalachicola does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Apalachicola does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements23 rules

Apalachicola STR warning: Trash must be kept in screened containers and only placed at the curb on pick-up days.
Apalachicola STR warning: One off-street parking space is required per vacation rental bedroom.
Apalachicola STR warning: Your permit number must be displayed in the first line of your listing description.

Application process11 rules

Apalachicola extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee

Fees & costs1 rule

Apalachicola charges a registration fee of $200 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual renewal fee).

Taxes4 rules

Florida has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Apalachicola: The 2% City tax is due by the 20th of the following month, even if you had zero bookings.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Apalachicola: Occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, maxing out at 10 people.
Apalachicola occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Apalachicola limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Apalachicola requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, First aid kit, Evacuation map posted, Egress windows clear.

Penalties3 rules

Apalachicola, FL: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Apalachicola: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Apalachicola, FL: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Apalachicola: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Apalachicola exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

8 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Apalachicola?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Apalachicola?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Apalachicola?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Apalachicola?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Apalachicola?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

8 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Apalachicola?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Apalachicola?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Apalachicola?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Apalachicola?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Apalachicola?

Disclaimer