Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Franklin County, FL?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Franklin County, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with Florida's state-level requirements and any applicable county ordinances. Always check with the Franklin County zoning office before operating a short-term rental property.

What is the TOT tax rate in Franklin County, FL?

**The TOT rate is 2%** for all short-term rentals in unincorporated Franklin County. You need to collect this tax from guests for stays of six months or less and remit it to the Tax Collector's office. Check with the Franklin County Tax Collector for specific filing deadlines and procedures.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Franklin County, FL?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally permitted in unincorporated Franklin County. However, you need to adhere to all applicable state and local regulations, including tax requirements. It's important to verify specific zoning restrictions and any potential HOA rules that may impact your ability to operate a rental.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Franklin County, FL?

**Penalties vary**, but operating a short-term rental without adhering to applicable tax regulations in Franklin County can result in fines. You need to also ensure that your rental property complies with all safety and building codes. Contact the Franklin County Code Enforcement office for detailed information on potential penalties.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Franklin County, FL?

**This depends** on the specific terms of the rental agreement in Franklin County. You need to review your lease to determine if subletting or short-term rentals are permitted. If allowed, renters must comply with all applicable tax and regulatory requirements, just like property owners.

Franklin County

Permissive

STRs Allowed

FloridaLast updated: February 13, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Unincorporated Franklin County does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration program. Hosts are primarily regulated through the Tax Collector's office and must pay a 2% Tourist Development Tax on all stays of 6 months or less.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Franklin County, you don't need a specific short-term rental permit from the county planning department. However, you must register for a Tourist Development Tax (TDT) account with the Franklin County Tax Collector. While platforms like Airbnb usually collect and pay the 2% local tax for you, you are still required to register your property and file monthly reports, even if you had zero bookings.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Ensure you are in the UNINCORPORATED county; if you are in Apalachicola or Carrabelle city limits, different rules apply.
2.You must file a TDT return every month, even if you had $0 in rental income.
3.Airbnb and VRBO collect the 2% County TDT, but they may NOT collect all state-level taxes depending on your setup.
4.Florida state law requires a separate 'Vacation Rental' license from the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation).
5.Check your HOA or COA bylaws; Franklin County does not override private neighborhood restrictions.
6.Rentals longer than 6 months (181+ days) are exempt from the Tourist Development Tax.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

•Franklin County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Application Process(1)

•STR regulations overview for Franklin County: Unincorporated Franklin County does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration program. Hosts are primarily regulated through the Tax Collector's office and must pay a 2% Tourist Development Tax on all stays of 6 months or less.

Taxes(2)

•Franklin County charges a Tourist Development Tax of 0.02%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
•FL has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Penalties(1)

•Franklin County enforces penalties: First offense: Interest and penalties for late tax filing.

Exemptions(2)

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

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

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

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

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

Franklin County

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

Application Process(1)

Taxes(2)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(2)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Fort Myers

Hollywood

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Franklin County

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Franklin County, FL?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Franklin County, FL?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Franklin County, FL?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Franklin County, FL?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Franklin County, FL?

Related Content

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach