What are the key requirements for Port St. Lucie hosts?

You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.

What should Port St. Lucie hosts know about airbnb and vrbo may not?

Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.

What should Port St. Lucie hosts know about condo and hoa rules often?

Condo and HOA rules often override city regulations and may strictly prohibit STRs even if the city does not.

Port St. Lucie

Permissive

Florida · City of Port St. LucieUpdated Apr 14, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Port St. Lucie does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, but hosts must obtain city and county business tax receipts, a state vacation rental license, and register for local tourist taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 5

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

While Port St. Lucie lacks a specific 'Airbnb permit' system, you are still legally required to register as a business. You must get a vacation rental license from the state (DBPR), business tax receipts from both the city and the county, and set up an account to pay the 5% county tourism tax and 7% sales tax.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.
2Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.
3Condo and HOA rules often override city regulations and may strictly prohibit STRs even if the city does not.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility3 rules

Port St Lucie does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.
Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following zones: Residential districts.

Requirements8 rules

Port St Lucie requires STR registration. Apply at: https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/financial-management/business-tax Renewal: annual.
Port St Lucie STR warning: Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.

Application process7 rules

Port St Lucie STR permit - Step 2: Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License. Apply for a state-level license for a 'Vacation Rental - Dwelling' or 'Condo' through the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Required documents: Floor plan, Proof of safety compliance. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: $170.

Fees & costs3 rules

Florida charges a registration fee of $170 (annual).
Port St Lucie charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).
St. Lucie County charges a registration fee of $45 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Florida charges a state-level Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.06%.
St. Lucie County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.05%.

Safety requirements1 rule

Port St Lucie requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, noise restrictions (Quiet hours per general noise ordinance).

Penalties1 rule

Port St Lucie enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: Varies by code enforcement. Subsequent violations: Fines up to $250 per day.

Exemptions1 rule

Port St Lucie exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term stays (30+ days), Rentals for more than 6 months are exempt from TDT with a bona fide lease.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Port St. Lucie

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Register with Florida Department of Revenue

Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate to collect the 6% state sales tax and 1% local surtax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

FEIN or SSN
Business Name

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License

Apply for a state-level license for a 'Vacation Rental - Dwelling' or 'Condo' through the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

2-4 weeks$170

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of safety compliance

Official resource

Step 3

Register for St. Lucie County Tourist Development Tax

Set up a TDT account with the County Tax Collector to remit the 5% bed tax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Florida Sales Tax ID
Property address

Official resource

Step 4

Apply for City of Port St. Lucie Business Tax Receipt

All businesses in city limits must obtain a BTR. Applications can be submitted online via the city portal.

3-5 days$50

Documents needed

Photo ID
Zoning verification
State licenses

Official resource

Step 5

Apply for St. Lucie County Business Tax Receipt

A separate county-level business license is required in addition to the city receipt.

1 week$45

Documents needed

City BTR
DBPR License

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 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

Port St. Lucie

Permissive

Florida · City of Port St. LucieUpdated Apr 14, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 5

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must obtain both a City and a County Business Tax Receipt.
2Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.
3Condo and HOA rules often override city regulations and may strictly prohibit STRs even if the city does not.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility3 rules

Port St Lucie does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.
Port St Lucie allows STRs in the following zones: Residential districts.

Requirements8 rules

Port St Lucie requires STR registration. Apply at: https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/financial-management/business-tax Renewal: annual.
Port St Lucie STR warning: Airbnb and VRBO may NOT collect and remit the 5% County Tourist Tax automatically; owners are often responsible for manual remittance.

Application process7 rules

Port St Lucie STR permit - Step 2: Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License. Apply for a state-level license for a 'Vacation Rental - Dwelling' or 'Condo' through the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Required documents: Floor plan, Proof of safety compliance. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: $170.

Fees & costs3 rules

Florida charges a registration fee of $170 (annual).
Port St Lucie charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).
St. Lucie County charges a registration fee of $45 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Florida charges a state-level Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.06%.
St. Lucie County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.05%.

Safety requirements1 rule

Port St Lucie requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, noise restrictions (Quiet hours per general noise ordinance).

Penalties1 rule

Port St Lucie enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: Varies by code enforcement. Subsequent violations: Fines up to $250 per day.

Exemptions1 rule

Port St Lucie exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term stays (30+ days), Rentals for more than 6 months are exempt from TDT with a bona fide lease.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Port St. Lucie

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Register with Florida Department of Revenue

Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate to collect the 6% state sales tax and 1% local surtax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

FEIN or SSN
Business Name

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License

Apply for a state-level license for a 'Vacation Rental - Dwelling' or 'Condo' through the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

2-4 weeks$170

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of safety compliance

Official resource

Step 3

Register for St. Lucie County Tourist Development Tax

Set up a TDT account with the County Tax Collector to remit the 5% bed tax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Florida Sales Tax ID
Property address

Official resource

Step 4

Apply for City of Port St. Lucie Business Tax Receipt

All businesses in city limits must obtain a BTR. Applications can be submitted online via the city portal.

3-5 days$50

Documents needed

Photo ID
Zoning verification
State licenses

Official resource

Step 5

Apply for St. Lucie County Business Tax Receipt

A separate county-level business license is required in addition to the city receipt.

1 week$45

Documents needed

City BTR
DBPR License

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with Florida Department of Revenue

Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License

Register for St. Lucie County Tourist Development Tax

Apply for City of Port St. Lucie Business Tax Receipt

Apply for St. Lucie County Business Tax Receipt

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Port St. Lucie?

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

3How do I get a vacation rental license in Port St. Lucie?

4What are the STR ordinances in Port St. Lucie?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with Florida Department of Revenue

Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental License

Register for St. Lucie County Tourist Development Tax

Apply for City of Port St. Lucie Business Tax Receipt

Apply for St. Lucie County Business Tax Receipt

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Port St. Lucie?

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

3How do I get a vacation rental license in Port St. Lucie?

4What are the STR ordinances in Port St. Lucie?

Disclaimer