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

**Yes**, Marathon requires a Vacation Rental License for all short-term rentals. You need to obtain this city-issued license to legally operate, per Chapter 8, Article II of the Municipal Code. Failure to obtain a Vacation Rental License can result in significant fines and penalties within the city. (51 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Marathon, FL?

**5% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Marathon. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. It is crucial to comply with these tax obligations to avoid penalties and maintain legal compliance within the city. (52 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Marathon, FL?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Marathon, but they are strictly regulated. You need to adhere to specific requirements, including obtaining a Vacation Rental License and complying with a 7-night minimum stay requirement. Failing to comply with these rules can lead to fines and legal repercussions. (52 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Marathon, FL?

**$1100** is the cost for the Vacation Rental License required to operate a short-term rental in Marathon. You need to pay this fee annually to maintain your license and legally rent out your property. This fee covers the costs associated with inspections and regulatory oversight. (51 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Marathon, FL?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or operate short-term rentals in Marathon. The Vacation Rental License is only available to property owners. Renters are prohibited from subletting their properties as short-term rentals, which is a violation of the city's regulations. (48 words)

Marathon, FL Short-Term Rental Laws

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals (stays under 28 days) are strictly regulated in the City of Marathon under Chapter 8, Article II of the Municipal Code. Hosts must obtain a city-issued Vacation Rental License, undergo an annual safety inspection, and adhere to a 7-night minimum stay requirement.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 38 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Week minimum stay: 7 nights
•High permit fee: $1100
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Marathon, you must get a local Vacation Rental License from the city's Planning Department. Be prepared for a significant upfront cost (roughly $1,250 for the first year) and a mandatory safety inspection. Marathon is unique because it enforces a 7-night minimum stay for all rentals, so you cannot rent for just a weekend. You also need a local 'Responsible Party' who can respond to the house within 2 hours if there is a complaint.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$1,100

Processing Time

30 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.7-night minimum stay is strictly enforced; rentals shorter than 7 nights are prohibited.
2.Total occupancy is capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a hard limit of 10 people total.
3.The 'Local Responsible Party' must be available 24/7 and respond on-site within 2 hours.
4.All marketing/listings must include the City of Marathon Vacation Rental License number.
5.Annual inspections are mandatory and include strict fire safety standards (e.g., egress maps in every bedroom).
6.Operating without a permit can lead to a 12-month ban on future permit eligibility.
7.Verify your property is within City of Marathon limits; if you are in 'Unincorporated Monroe County', different rules apply.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

•Marathon prohibits STRs in the following property types: Affordable Housing units, Employee Housing units.
•Marathon does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Marathon allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Duplex, Condominium.

Requirements(19)

•Marathon STR warning: Annual inspections are mandatory and include strict fire safety standards (e.g., egress maps in every bedroom).
•Marathon, FL: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Marathon, FL: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application Process(11)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Marathon: Step 1: State/County Registrations - Obtain your DBPR license and register for Monroe County Tourist Development Tax. Estimated time: 14-21 days. Cost: 50. More info: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chp=re&typ=vac Step 2: City Application Submission - Submit the Vacation Rental Application to the City of Marathon Planning Department with the floor plan and emergency maps. Documents needed: Floor Plan, Egress Map, Local Agent Form. Estimated time: 7 days. Cost: 1250. More info: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/planning/page/vacation-rentals Step 3: Schedule Inspection - The city inspector will visit the property to verify fire safety equipment and occupancy limits. Estimated time: 7-14 days. Step 4: License Issuance - After passing inspection, the city will issue the Vacation Rental License, which must be displayed in the unit and on all listings. Estimated time: 5 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Marathon charges a registration fee of $1100 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $1250 (Includes $1,100 annual fee plus $150 inspection fee; Late renewal penalty is $500).

Taxes(2)

•Marathon 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% Monroe County Tourist Development Tax directly; however, hosts must still file 'zero' returns.
•Florida has a state sales tax of 7.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(8)

•Marathon occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; maximum of 10 persons per unit total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Marathon limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; maximum of 10 persons per unit total.

Safety Requirements(2)

•Marathon: Annual inspections are mandatory and include strict fire safety standards (e.g., egress maps in every bedroom).

Penalties(3)

•Marathon: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Marathon enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250. Second offense: $500. Third offense: $1,000. Daily fine: $250. Maximum fine: $5,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

•Marathon exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Marathon, FL: 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

Marathon

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(8)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Fort Myers

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St. Pete Beach

Marathon

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Marathon, FL?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Marathon, FL?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Marathon, FL?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Marathon, FL?

Related Content

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach