Short-Term Rental Rules in Clearwater, Florida

Q: Can I rent my residential home in Clearwater as a short-term rental?

No. Clearwater prohibits short-term rentals in residential districts. Properties zoned as residential cannot be rented for periods less than 31 days. If you own a residential property, you may only advertise and rent for 31 days or longer (monthly rentals). For short-term rentals, your property must be located in a Tourist District or Business District.

Q: Do I need a local representative?

Yes. You must designate a local representative who has both a local phone number and a local address. This person or entity must be immediately available for contact regarding regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. This is a requirement for all STR operators in Clearwater.

Q: What is the difference between Clearwater city limits and unincorporated Pinellas County?

If your property is within Clearwater city limits, you follow Clearwater's STR regulations (zoning restrictions, occupancy limits, etc.). If your property is in an unincorporated area of Pinellas County, you must also obtain a Certificate of Use from Pinellas County with associated fees ($150 initial inspection, $450 annual renewal, $100 re-inspection). Be sure to verify your property's exact location with the city or county.

Q: What taxes do I need to collect from guests?

You must collect and remit 6% Florida Sales Tax and 5% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) on all short-term rental bookings. These taxes should be collected at the time of booking or check-in and remitted according to Florida's tax requirements. Proper tax collection is critical for legal compliance.

# Short-Term Rental Rules in Clearwater, Florida ## Quick Answer **Clearwater prohibits short-term rentals (under 31 days) in residential zones but allows them in Tourist and Business Districts.** You must obtain DBPR licensing, pay sales tax plus Tourist Development Tax, comply with quiet hours, and limit occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. ## Overview Clearwater enforces one of Florida's most restrictive short-term rental regulations. The city operates a **two-tier zoning system** that either permits or prohibits STRs based on property location: - **Residential Districts**: Short-term rentals are **prohibited** - **Tourist Districts & Business Districts**: Short-term rentals are **potentially allowed** (subject to additional requirements) If your property is in a residential zone, you may only advertise for monthly rentals (31 days or longer). Properties in permitted zones must comply with state licensing, local registration, tax obligations, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances. For more context on Florida STR rules statewide, see our [Florida STR Rules Guide](/florida-str-rules). ## What Permits and Licenses Do You Need? Operating a short-term rental in Clearwater requires multiple permits and licenses: ### State-Level Licensing - **Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) License**: All vacation rentals located in Florida must obtain a license from the DBPR. This is a mandatory state requirement. ### Local Registration (Unincorporated Pinellas County) If your property is in an unincorporated area of Pinellas County (which includes parts of the Clearwater area), you must obtain a **Certificate of Use** from Pinellas County: - **Initial Inspection Fee**: $150 - **Annual Renewal Fee**: $450 - **Re-Inspection Fee**: $100 ### Local Designation - You must designate a **local representative** who has a local phone number and address. This ensures immediate contact for regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. ## What Are the Main Requirements? ### Zoning & Location Restrictions - Short-term rentals are **prohibited in residential districts** - Properties must be located in a **Tourist District or Business District** to legally operate as an STR - If your property is in a residential zone, you can only advertise for **monthly rentals of 31 days or longer** — not daily or weekly rentals ### Occupancy Limits - Maximum occupancy is **2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 additional guests** - Example: A 2-bedroom property may accommodate up to 6 guests (2+2+2 additional) ### Quiet Hours - **Quiet hours are in effect from 11pm to 7am** - Guests must maintain reasonable noise levels during these hours ### Safety & Compliance - All STR properties must **comply with the Florida Building Code** - Properties must pass **fire safety inspections** - **Liability insurance** is required - Compliance with all **Pinellas County regulations** is mandatory ## What Taxes Must You Collect and Pay? As a short-term rental operator in Clearwater, you are required to collect and remit the following taxes: - **Florida Sales Tax**: 6% - **Tourist Development Tax (TDT)**: 5% These taxes must be collected from guests at the time of booking or check-in and remitted according to Florida's tax schedules. Failure to collect and remit taxes can result in penalties and liability. ## What Happens if You Violate the Rules? While specific penalty amounts are not detailed in publicly available sources, Clearwater enforces its STR regulations through its Code Compliance Office. Violations may include: - Operating a short-term rental in a residential zone without proper zoning approval - Advertising daily or weekly rentals when only monthly rentals are permitted - Exceeding occupancy limits - Violating quiet hours ordinances - Operating without required DBPR licensing or local permits - Failing to maintain a local representative or local address - Non-compliance with fire safety or building code requirements For specific enforcement actions and penalties, contact the [City of Clearwater Code Compliance Office](https://www.myclearwater.com/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I rent my residential home in Clearwater as a short-term rental? No. Clearwater **prohibits short-term rentals in residential districts**. Properties zoned as residential cannot be rented for periods less than 31 days. If you own a residential property, you may only advertise and rent for 31 days or longer (monthly rentals). For short-term rentals, your property must be located in a Tourist District or Business District. ### Do I need a local representative? Yes. You must **designate a local representative who has both a local phone number and a local address**. This person or entity must be immediately available for contact regarding regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. This is a requirement for all STR operators in Clearwater. ### What is the difference between Clearwater city limits and unincorporated Pinellas County? If your property is **within Clearwater city limits**, you follow Clearwater's STR regulations (zoning restrictions, occupancy limits, etc.). If your property is in an **unincorporated area of Pinellas County**, you must also obtain a **Certificate of Use** from Pinellas County with associated fees ($150 initial inspection, $450 annual renewal, $100 re-inspection). Be sure to verify your property's exact location with the city or county. ### What taxes do I need to collect from guests? You must collect and remit **6% Florida Sales Tax** and **5% Tourist Development Tax (TDT)** on all short-term rental bookings. These taxes should be collected at the time of booking or check-in and remitted according to Florida's tax requirements. Proper tax collection is critical for legal compliance. ### Where do I get my DBPR license and how do I apply? All vacation rentals in Florida must obtain a license from the **Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)**. Visit the [DBPR website](https://www.dbpr.gov/) for application procedures and requirements. This is a state-level requirement separate from local Clearwater permits. ## Need Help? Navigating Clearwater's STR regulations can be complex, especially given the zoning restrictions and multi-level licensing requirements. If you're unsure whether your property qualifies, need help with applications, or want legal guidance, [get expert help](/get-help). --- > **Disclaimer:** This page summarizes publicly available information and is not legal advice. Rules change — always verify with the local city government before listing your property. Contact the [City of Clearwater](https://www.myclearwater.com/) or [Pinellas County](https://pinellas.gov/) directly to confirm current regulations for your specific property.

Short-Term Rental Rules in Clearwater, Florida

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