Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Petersburg, FL?

**No**, short-term rentals are prohibited in the majority of residential zones within St. Petersburg. Hosts in residential areas are limited to a maximum of three rental contracts per 12-month period, regardless of the length of each stay. Only commercially zoned properties may be eligible.

What is the TOT tax rate in St. Petersburg, FL?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in St. Petersburg. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Always verify the current tax rate with the city's finance department before operating.

How many nights per year can I rent my property in St. Petersburg?

**Only three times** per year are you allowed to rent your property on a short-term basis in St. Petersburg's residential zones. This applies to stays under 30 days. Exceeding this limit can result in significant fines, so verify your zoning and usage carefully before listing.

Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Petersburg, FL?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host short-term rentals in St. Petersburg. The regulations focus on property owners, and tenants are not authorized to sublet their rentals as short-term rentals. Always check your lease agreement and local regulations before listing.

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

**Significant fines** can be levied if you operate an illegal short-term rental in St. Petersburg. Operating in violation of the city's zoning laws and rental restrictions can lead to daily penalties. Always check with the St. Petersburg zoning office before operating your property.

St. Petersburg

Moderate

STRs Allowed

FloridaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are PROHIBITED in the majority of St. Petersburg residential zones. Hosts in residential areas are limited to only three (3) rental contracts per 12-month period, regardless of the length of the stay.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 25 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Long minimum stay: 30 nights
•Tenants cannot host
•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in St. Petersburg, you must first verify your property's zoning. If you are in a standard residential neighborhood, you are technically banned from renting for stays under 30 days more than three times a year. Operating more than three times per year in these zones can result in significant fines. Only properties in specific commercial or high-density districts (like Downtown) can operate as full-time short-term rentals.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The '3-per-year' rule: You can only rent your home 3 times per year if staying under 30 days.
2.Zoning is binary: If you aren't in a 'Transient' allowed zone, there is no permit you can buy to bypass the rule.
3.Pinellas County collects a 6% Tourist Development Tax on top of the 6% state tax.
4.The city actively monitors Airbnb/VRBO for violation of the 3-rental cap.
5.Rentals over 30 days are considered long-term and are not subject to these caps.
6.ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are generally prohibited from being used as STRs.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•St. Petersburg prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (for transient use).
•St. Petersburg: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•St. Petersburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(15)

•St. Petersburg STR warning: HOA Bans: Even if the city allows it, your Homeowners Association can still legally ban short-term rentals.
•St. Petersburg: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application Process(9)

•St. Petersburg STR permit - Step 2: Obtain State Licenses. Apply for a DBPR Vacation Rental License and a Florida Dept. of Revenue Sales Tax ID. Required documents: DBPR application. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 170.
•St. Petersburg STR permit - Step 4: Register for County Tourist Development Tax. Open a TDT account with the Pinellas County Tax Collector. Time: 1 week.

Fees & Costs(1)

•St. Petersburg charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes(4)

•Florida has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.
•St. Petersburg: Tax Collection: Airbnb doesn't collect the full 13%; you are likely responsible for the 1% local surtax yourself.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•St. Petersburg occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•St. Petersburg: Grandfathered Rules: St. Petersburg's rules are older than state laws that limit local control, making their restrictions harder to challenge.

Safety Requirements(1)

•St. Petersburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local contact person available 24/7, Proper egress as per Florida Building Code.

Penalties(2)

•St. Petersburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•St. Petersburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals occurring only 3 times per 365-day period are not considered transient use and are exempt from frequency zoning bans..
•St. Petersburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

St. Petersburg

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(15)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

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. Petersburg

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

1Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Petersburg, FL?

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. Petersburg, FL?

3How many nights per year can I rent my property in St. Petersburg?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in St. Petersburg, FL?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in St. Petersburg?

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