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

**Yes**, Boca Raton requires a Short-Term Rental License to operate legally. You need to obtain this municipal license, costing $150, in addition to registering with both the State of Florida and Palm Beach County. Compliance with safety inspections is also mandatory before hosting your first guest.

What is the TOT tax rate in Boca Raton?

**6% TOT** is the current tourist tax rate for short-term rentals in Boca Raton. You are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the appropriate authorities. Ensure compliance with all state and county tax requirements, as well as the local rate.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Boca Raton?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Boca Raton, but specific regulations apply. You need to obtain a municipal license, adhere to occupancy limits (maximum 12), and ensure 24/7 availability of a local responsible party. Compliance with state and county registration is also required.

How much does an STR permit cost in Boca Raton?

**$150** is the cost of the Short-Term Rental License in Boca Raton. You need to obtain this municipal license to operate legally. Keep in mind that additional registration with the State of Florida and Palm Beach County is also mandatory before you start hosting guests.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Boca Raton?

**Penalties** for operating an illegal STR in Boca Raton can vary. You could face fines for operating without the required municipal license, and for failing to register with the State of Florida and Palm Beach County. Ensure you are fully compliant with all regulations to avoid these consequences.

Boca Raton

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Mar 28, 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 permitted in the City of Boca Raton but require a specific municipal license, safety inspections, and registration with both the State of Florida and Palm Beach County. Regulations focus on occupancy limits (max 12), safety compliance, and the appointment of a 24/7 local responsible party.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Boca Raton, you must first get a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and a tax account from Palm Beach County. Once those are in hand, you apply for a Boca Raton Short-Term Rental License ($150) and pass a fire safety inspection. You must post your city license number on all listings and follow strict occupancy rules (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2). Stays longer than 6 months are exempt from these specific rental rules.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time30 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a 'Local Responsible Party' available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 2 hours.
2Boca Raton requires a fire inspection before the license is issued; interconnected smoke alarms are mandatory.
3Standard occupancy is 2 per bedroom + 2 extra people, but never more than 12 total regardless of house size.
4The city license number must be displayed in the first line of any online advertisement.
5Verify you are within City Limits; Unincorporated Palm Beach County addresses use different rules.
6HOA regulations can still prohibit STRs even if the city allows them.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Boca Raton, FL: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Boca Raton does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Boca Raton, FL: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Boca Raton STR warning: Boca Raton requires a fire inspection before the license is issued; interconnected smoke alarms are mandatory.
Boca Raton STR warning: HOA regulations can still prohibit STRs even if the city allows them.
Boca Raton STR warning: The city license number must be displayed in the first line of any online advertisement.

Application process10 rules

How to set up an STR in Boca Raton: To host an Airbnb in the City of Boca Raton, you must first get a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and a tax account from Palm Beach County. Once those are in hand, you apply for a Boca Raton Short-Term Rental License ($150) and pass a fire safety inspection. You must post your city license number on all listings and follow strict occupancy rules (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2). Stays longer than 6 months are exempt from these specific rental rules.

Fees & costs1 rule

Boca Raton charges a registration fee of $150 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 (Inspection fee is generally included or additional $150 for re-inspections).

Taxes3 rules

Boca Raton: Standard occupancy is 2 per bedroom + 2 extra people, but never more than 12 total regardless of house size.
Boca Raton charges a Palm Beach County Tourist Development Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 6% Tourist Development Tax and 7% Florida Sales Tax for Boca Raton.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Boca Raton enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Boca Raton occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons, not to exceed 12 total. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boca Raton: Verify you are within City Limits; Unincorporated Palm Beach County addresses use different rules.

Safety requirements2 rules

Boca Raton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms required, Hard-wired CO detectors if gas or attached garage, Exit signage.

Penalties3 rules

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

Exemptions3 rules

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

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

Boca Raton

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Mar 28, 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 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
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$150

Processing time30 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a 'Local Responsible Party' available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 2 hours.
2Boca Raton requires a fire inspection before the license is issued; interconnected smoke alarms are mandatory.
3Standard occupancy is 2 per bedroom + 2 extra people, but never more than 12 total regardless of house size.
4The city license number must be displayed in the first line of any online advertisement.
5Verify you are within City Limits; Unincorporated Palm Beach County addresses use different rules.
6HOA regulations can still prohibit STRs even if the city allows them.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Boca Raton, FL: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Boca Raton does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Boca Raton, FL: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Boca Raton STR warning: Boca Raton requires a fire inspection before the license is issued; interconnected smoke alarms are mandatory.
Boca Raton STR warning: HOA regulations can still prohibit STRs even if the city allows them.
Boca Raton STR warning: The city license number must be displayed in the first line of any online advertisement.

Application process10 rules

How to set up an STR in Boca Raton: To host an Airbnb in the City of Boca Raton, you must first get a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and a tax account from Palm Beach County. Once those are in hand, you apply for a Boca Raton Short-Term Rental License ($150) and pass a fire safety inspection. You must post your city license number on all listings and follow strict occupancy rules (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2). Stays longer than 6 months are exempt from these specific rental rules.

Fees & costs1 rule

Boca Raton charges a registration fee of $150 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 (Inspection fee is generally included or additional $150 for re-inspections).

Taxes3 rules

Boca Raton: Standard occupancy is 2 per bedroom + 2 extra people, but never more than 12 total regardless of house size.
Boca Raton charges a Palm Beach County Tourist Development Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 6% Tourist Development Tax and 7% Florida Sales Tax for Boca Raton.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Boca Raton enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Boca Raton occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons, not to exceed 12 total. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Boca Raton: Verify you are within City Limits; Unincorporated Palm Beach County addresses use different rules.

Safety requirements2 rules

Boca Raton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms required, Hard-wired CO detectors if gas or attached garage, Exit signage.

Penalties3 rules

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

Exemptions3 rules

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

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Boca Raton?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Boca Raton?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Boca Raton?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Boca Raton?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Boca Raton?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Boca Raton?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Boca Raton?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Boca Raton?

Disclaimer