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

**Yes**, Destin requires a Short-Term Rental Business Tax Receipt & Registration. You need to obtain this permit annually, costing $500. This registration ensures compliance with local regulations, including occupancy limits. Operating without the required permit can result in fines, so ensuring you have the proper documentation is crucial.

What is the TOT tax rate in Destin?

**5% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Destin. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. It is important to factor this tax into your pricing strategy to remain compliant. Check with the city for specific payment schedules.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Destin?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Destin, but they are strictly regulated. You need to adhere to specific occupancy limits of 2 persons per bedroom plus 4 additional guests. Compliance with these regulations ensures you can operate your rental without facing penalties or legal issues within the city.

How much does an STR permit cost in Destin?

**The STR permit costs** $500 annually in Destin. This fee covers the Short-Term Rental Business Tax Receipt & Registration. The permit is mandatory for all short-term rental operators. Make sure to renew your permit each year to avoid any potential fines or penalties imposed by the city.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Destin?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Destin. The regulations require that the property owner or authorized agent manage the short-term rental. This restriction prevents renters from subleasing the property without the owner's explicit permission, as per local ordinances.

Destin

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 16, 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

The City of Destin strictly regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory annual registration program and specific occupancy limits. Hosts must obtain both state and local licenses and adhere to a guest occupancy formula of 2 persons per bedroom plus 4 additional guests.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $500
Tenants cannot host
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 Destin, you must register your property annually with the city and pay a $500 fee. You are required to have a state vacation rental license from the DBPR and a local tax account with Okaloosa County. Destin enforces strict occupancy limits and parking rules, and you must post your city registration number on all online listings. A fire safety inspection is required before your registration is finalized.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your property is within 'City of Destin' limits; unincorporated Okaloosa County has different rules.
2The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 24 persons regardless of house size.
3You must post a 'Short-Term Rental Information Sign' on the exterior of the property.
4Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.
5Registration must be renewed every year by September 30th to avoid a late fee.
6A local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
7Failure to display the city-issued registration number in your listing title can result in fines.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Destin allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.
Destin does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Destin does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Destin: Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.

Requirements19 rules

Destin: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Destin STR warning: Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.
Destin has different permit classes: Standard Residential STR. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application process11 rules

Destin STR permit - Step 3: City Registration. Complete the Destin STR registration via the Host Compliance portal. Required documents: Floor plan, Site plan, State licenses. Time: 2 weeks. Cost: 500.
Destin, FL extended permit requirement: A $100 late fee applies if not renewed by October 1st.

Fees & costs2 rules

Destin: Registration must be renewed every year by September 30th to avoid a late fee.
Destin charges a registration fee of $500 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A $100 late fee applies if not renewed by October 1st.).

Taxes2 rules

Destin charges a Tourist Development Tax of 5%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 5% County TDT; however, hosts must still file $0 returns if platforms collect.
Florida has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Destin limits STRs to a maximum of 24 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 4 persons, total not to exceed 24.
Destin: The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 24 persons regardless of house size.
Destin occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 4 persons, total not to exceed 24.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Destin requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Exit signs for occupancy over 10, Posted emergency evacuation plan, Standard safety inspection by Fire Marshal.

Penalties4 rules

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

Exemptions3 rules

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

Destin

Moderate

FloridaUpdated Apr 16, 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 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $500
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$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your property is within 'City of Destin' limits; unincorporated Okaloosa County has different rules.
2The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 24 persons regardless of house size.
3You must post a 'Short-Term Rental Information Sign' on the exterior of the property.
4Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.
5Registration must be renewed every year by September 30th to avoid a late fee.
6A local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
7Failure to display the city-issued registration number in your listing title can result in fines.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Destin allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.
Destin does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Destin does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Destin: Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.

Requirements19 rules

Destin: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Destin STR warning: Vehicles must be parked on an improved surface; street parking for STR guests is prohibited.
Destin has different permit classes: Standard Residential STR. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application process11 rules

Destin STR permit - Step 3: City Registration. Complete the Destin STR registration via the Host Compliance portal. Required documents: Floor plan, Site plan, State licenses. Time: 2 weeks. Cost: 500.
Destin, FL extended permit requirement: A $100 late fee applies if not renewed by October 1st.

Fees & costs2 rules

Destin: Registration must be renewed every year by September 30th to avoid a late fee.
Destin charges a registration fee of $500 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A $100 late fee applies if not renewed by October 1st.).

Taxes2 rules

Destin charges a Tourist Development Tax of 5%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 5% County TDT; however, hosts must still file $0 returns if platforms collect.
Florida has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Destin limits STRs to a maximum of 24 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 4 persons, total not to exceed 24.
Destin: The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 24 persons regardless of house size.
Destin occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 4 persons, total not to exceed 24.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Destin requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Exit signs for occupancy over 10, Posted emergency evacuation plan, Standard safety inspection by Fire Marshal.

Penalties4 rules

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

Exemptions3 rules

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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Destin?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Destin?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Destin?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Destin?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Destin?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Destin?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Destin?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Destin?

Disclaimer