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

**Yes**, you need a Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration to operate legally in St. Augustine. You need to apply through the City Planning Department and pay a one-time fee of $974.5. A mandatory fire safety inspection is also required before approval. Operating without a permit can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in St. Augustine?

**5%** is the tourist occupancy tax (TOT) rate you must collect from guests. You also need to collect 6% Florida state sales tax. Hosts are responsible for remitting these taxes to the appropriate agencies on a monthly or quarterly basis. Some platforms may collect taxes automatically.

Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Augustine?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in St. Augustine, but heavily regulated by the city. You need to first verify your property is in a permitted zoning district. You cannot legally rent your property for less than 30 days without first obtaining the required city permit and state license.

How much does an STR permit cost in St. Augustine?

**$974.5** is the one-time registration fee for a Short-Term Vacation Rental permit in St. Augustine. This fee is paid to the City Planning Department as part of the application process. Be aware that you also need to obtain a Florida state license (DBPR) for short-term rentals.

Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Augustine?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in St. Augustine. Only property owners are eligible to apply for and obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration. Subletting rules are determined by the lease agreement between the tenant and the property owner.

St. Augustine, FL Short-Term Rental...

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

The City of St. Augustine heavily regulates short-term rentals within city limits, requiring a specific municipal registration, a Florida state license (DBPR), and a county tax account. Registration involves a significant one-time fee and a mandatory fire safety inspection.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 33 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•High permit fee: $974.5
•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 St. Augustine, you must first verify your property is in a permitted zone and then register with the City Planning Department. You cannot legally rent your home for less than 30 days without a city permit, which costs nearly $1,000 to start. You also need a Florida state license and must remit a 5% county tourist tax plus 6% state sales tax. Be aware that the city strictly limits guest counts to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra guests, with a hard cap of 12 people.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$975

Processing Time

30-60 days

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify your exact address; City of St. Augustine rules differ significantly from unincorporated St. Johns County.
2.Initial registration fees are significantly higher ($974+) than typical renewal fees ($375).
3.Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, cap of 12).
4.A local 'Responsible Party' must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within one hour.
5.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after the 2020 ordinance are generally prohibited from being STRs.
6.You must post your City Registration Number in the first line of your listing description on platforms like Airbnb.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•St. Augustine rent control/RSO note: Florida state law prohibits local governments from banning STRs entirely unless the ordinance predates June 1, 2011.
•St. Augustine: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•St. Augustine: Parking is strictly regulated; you must provide one on-site space per bedroom and cannot park on grass or sand.

Requirements(18)

•St. Augustine STR warning: Verify your exact jurisdiction; City of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, and St. Johns County have completely different rules.
•St. Augustine: HP-1 Historic District zoning is restricted to monthly (30+ days) rentals only.
•St. Augustine has different permit classes: Zoning-based (Nightly, Weekly, or Monthly). Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in St. Augustine: Step 1: Obtain State Licenses - Secure a Florida DBPR Transient Public Lodging Establishment license and a Florida Department of Revenue Sales Tax Certificate. Documents needed: Business Tax Receipt. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vacation-rentals/ Step 2: Register with St. Johns County - Obtain a St. Johns County Business Tax Receipt and register for the Tourist Development Tax. Documents needed: Tax ID. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://sjctax.us/tourist-development-tax/ Step 3: Schedule City Life-Safety Inspection - Apply for the city STR registration and pay the base fee to schedule an inspection with the St. Augustine Fire Department. Documents needed: Floor Plan, Site Plan. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 303.03. More info: https://staugustine.formstack.com/forms/str_registration Step 4: Obtain Final Registration - Upon passing inspection and city approval, your STR Registration Certificate will be issued and must be displayed on the property. Documents needed: Inspection Certificate. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 79.3.

Fees & Costs(2)

•St. Augustine: Fire inspections are annual and mandatory; missing your renewal results in a $100 late fee.
•St. Augustine charges a registration fee of $303.03 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $79.3 (Base rate of $303.03 plus $79.30 per rental bedroom.).

Taxes(3)

•Florida has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
•St. Augustine: Major booking platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) do not collect the 5% St. Johns County Tourist Development Tax; you must collect and remit it yourself.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•St. Augustine occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional children under 18; total cap of 12 persons.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•St. Augustine: RS-1 and RS-2 zones are limited to 7-night minimum stays; nightly rentals are illegal there.
•St. Augustine enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM (Daytime guests must vacate by 10:00 PM).

Safety Requirements(1)

•St. Augustine requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Address numbers must be minimum 4 inches and visible from street, Emergency lighting required in areas between bedrooms and exit doors, Exit signs required over doors, Annual Life Safety Inspection by Fire Department.

Penalties(2)

•St. Augustine: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•St. Augustine enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code enforcement board. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Potential permit revocation. Daily fine: $250 - $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

St. Augustine

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(18)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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St. Augustine

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. Augustine?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Augustine?

4How much does an STR permit cost in St. Augustine?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Augustine?

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