Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Port St. Joe?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Port St. Joe, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with Florida state requirements, including obtaining a DBPR vacation rental license. Always check with the Port St. Joe planning and zoning department.

What is the TOT tax rate in Port St. Joe?

**5% TOT** is the current tourist occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Port St. Joe. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Note that hosts must also comply with the state's 7% tourist development tax.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Port St. Joe?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are currently allowed in Port St. Joe, Florida. However, the city is actively drafting new regulations as of late 2024 that may impact STR operations in the future. Always check with the Port St. Joe planning and zoning department for updates.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Port St. Joe?

**Penalties** for operating an illegal STR in Port St. Joe will be determined once the new regulations are finalized. Currently, hosts need to comply with state requirements and paying a combined 12% in state and local tourist taxes. Check with the city for updates on future compliance measures.

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Q: How much does an STR permit cost in Port St. Joe?

**No** local permit required, as Port St. Joe does not currently have a dedicated municipal short-term rental permit. However, the city is actively drafting new regulations as of late 2024, which may include permit fees. Check with the city for updates on future compliance measures.

Gold Standard Verification

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Port St. Joe does not currently have a dedicated municipal short-term rental permit; however, the city is actively drafting new regulations as of late 2024. Hosts must still comply with Florida state requirements, including obtaining a DBPR vacation rental license and paying a combined 12% in state and local tourist taxes.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 3 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Reporting required
•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Port St. Joe, you don't currently need a specific city-level permit, but that is expected to change soon as the city is drafting new rules. For now, you must register with the Florida DBPR for a lodging license and set up a tax account with the Gulf County Tax Collector to pay the 5% tourist tax. You are also responsible for the 7% state sales tax. Always check if your property is within the city limits or unincorporated Gulf County, as rules may differ once the city finalizes its ordinance.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify your jurisdiction: Port St. Joe city limits have different future regulations than unincorporated Gulf County.
2.The City is currently drafting an STR ordinance (expected 2025) which may include registration fees and occupancy limits.
3.Florida State Law (DBPR) requires all vacation rentals to be licensed at the state level.
4.A 5% Tourist Development Tax must be remitted to the Gulf County Tax Collector, even if you use Airbnb.
5.The 7% State Sales tax is separate from the local 5% tourist tax.
6.Check your HOA or COA bylaws, as they often have stricter bans than the city.
7.Stays longer than 6 months (181+ days) are exempt from the tourist development tax.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

•Port St. Joe, FL: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Port St. Joe, FL: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Port St. Joe: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(13)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Port St. Joe: 1. Verify your jurisdiction: Port St. Joe city limits have different future regulations than unincorporated Gulf County. 2. The City is currently drafting an STR ordinance (expected 2025) which may include registration fees and occupancy limits. 3. Florida State Law (DBPR) requires all vacation rentals to be licensed at the state level. 4. A 5% Tourist Development Tax must be remitted to the Gulf County Tax Collector, even if you use Airbnb. 5. The 7% State Sales tax is separate from the local 5% tourist tax. 6. Check your HOA or COA bylaws, as they often have stricter bans than the city. 7. Stays longer than 6 months (181+ days) are exempt from the tourist development tax.

Application Process(6)

•STR regulations overview for Port St. Joe: Port St. Joe does not currently have a dedicated municipal short-term rental permit; however, the city is actively drafting new regulations as of late 2024. Hosts must still comply with Florida state requirements, including obtaining a DBPR vacation rental license and paying a combined 12% in state and local tourist taxes.

Taxes(4)

•Port St. Joe: The 7% State Sales tax is separate from the local 5% tourist tax.
•Port St. Joe: A 5% Tourist Development Tax must be remitted to the Gulf County Tax Collector, even if you use Airbnb.
•Florida has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Port St. Joe: Verify your jurisdiction: Port St. Joe city limits have different future regulations than unincorporated Gulf County.
•Port St. Joe: The City is currently drafting an STR ordinance (expected 2025) which may include registration fees and occupancy limits.
•Port St. Joe enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (General noise ordinance).

Safety Requirements(1)

•Port St. Joe requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, Must comply with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) safety standards for public lodging.

Exemptions(4)

•Port St. Joe: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Port St. Joe, 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

Port St. Joe

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(6)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Exemptions(4)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Fort Myers

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St. Pete Beach

Port St. Joe

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 Port St. Joe?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Port St. Joe?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Port St. Joe?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Port St. Joe?

5How much does an STR permit cost in Port St. Joe?

Related Content

Other Florida Markets

Orlando

Fort Myers

Hollywood

St. Pete Beach