Are short-term rentals allowed in Pinellas County?

**No**, short-term rentals are generally prohibited in unincorporated Pinellas County. You need to check specific local zoning regulations as some areas may prohibit rentals less than 30 days. Always confirm compliance with both county and state laws before listing a property. Penalties may apply. (51 words)

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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Pinellas County, though state regulations still apply. You must obtain a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to operate legally. Always confirm with the county and state for any updates. (52 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Pinellas County?

**6% TOT** is the current tourist development tax rate for short-term rentals in Pinellas County. You are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the county tax collector's office on a monthly basis. Check with the Pinellas County website for further details. (53 words)

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Pinellas County?

**Penalties** can be applied if you operate a short-term rental illegally in Pinellas County. These penalties can include fines and legal action, especially for operating without the required state license or violating zoning regulations. Always ensure full compliance with local and state laws to avoid problems. (52 words)

Pinellas County

Permissive

STRs Allowed

FloridaLast updated: February 13, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Unincorporated Pinellas County does not require a local county-level short-term rental permit or registration. However, all hosts must comply with Florida state law by obtaining a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and registering for both state and local taxes.

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 Pinellas County, you don't need a specific permit from the county government, but you must get a state license from Florida's DBPR. You are also required to register with the County Tax Collector for the 6% Tourist Development Tax, although platforms like Airbnb often collect this for you. Always check your address to ensure you are truly in an unincorporated area and not within a city like Clearwater or St. Pete, which have their own strict rules.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$170

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.UNINCORPORATED ONLY: These rules do NOT apply to cities like Clearwater, St. Pete, or Largo, which often prohibit or strictly limit STRs.
2.DBPR LICENSE: Even without a county permit, a state vacation rental license is MANDATORY for all whole-home rentals.
3.TAX REGISTRATION: You must register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector even if Airbnb remits taxes on your behalf.
4.SIX MONTH RULE: Tourist taxes apply to all rentals of 6 months (182 days) or less.
5.HOA RESTRICTIONS: While the county doesn't prohibit STRs, your Homeowners Association or Condo Board still can.
6.ZONING BOUNDARY: If your property is on the border of a city, verify your jurisdiction via the Pinellas County Property Appraiser (PAPA) website.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

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

Requirements(12)

•Pinellas County: HOA RESTRICTIONS: While the county doesn't prohibit STRs, your Homeowners Association or Condo Board still can.
•Pinellas County STR warning: SIX MONTH RULE: Tourist taxes apply to all rentals of 6 months (182 days) or less.
•Pinellas County STR warning: DBPR LICENSE: Even without a county permit, a state vacation rental license is MANDATORY for all whole-home rentals.

Application Process(6)

•STR regulations overview for Pinellas County: Unincorporated Pinellas County does not require a local county-level short-term rental permit or registration. However, all hosts must comply with Florida state law by obtaining a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and registering for both state and local taxes.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Pinellas County charges a registration fee of $170 (annual).

Taxes(4)

•Pinellas County: SIX MONTH RULE: Tourist taxes apply to all rentals of 6 months (182 days) or less.
•Pinellas County: TAX REGISTRATION: You must register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector even if Airbnb remits taxes on your behalf.
•Florida has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Pinellas County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties(1)

•Pinellas County enforces penalties: First offense: Varies by code violation.

Exemptions(4)

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

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

Pinellas 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(6)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(6)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(4)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach

Pinellas County

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Pinellas County?

2Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Pinellas County?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Pinellas County?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Pinellas County?

Related Content

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach