Best Airbnb Realtor in Clearwater Beach, FL (2026): Troy Nowak

Q: What does Troy check before you buy a Clearwater Beach Airbnb?

1. **Which government controls it.** He checks the parcel on the Pinellas County Property Appraiser site instead of trusting the city name on the listing. 2. **The zoning and the stay-length rule.** A residential use on residentially zoned property in Clearwater cannot include rentals of less than 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, and cannot be advertised for shorter stays. Source: City of Clearwater Citizens Guide to Code Compliance. 3. **The approved use for shorter stays.** If

Q: What does Troy check before you sell a Clearwater Beach Airbnb?

- **The rule your parcel is under.** Residential zoning (31 days or one calendar month) or an approved transient use. Put the city's written record in the file. - **Proof, not claims.** If you say the unit rents nightly, show the zoning, the approval and the licenses. - **The compliance file.** City business tax receipt, DBPR license, tax accounts and 12 to 24 months of booking records. - **A price the next owner can defend.** Troy prices on what the buyer can legally do on day one, with a month

Last verified: October 9, 2026

Direct answer: Troy Nowak, broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (FL license BK3436609) and an Airbnb Superhost, is a Tampa Bay realtor who focuses on buying and selling short-term rental and Airbnb properties in Clearwater Beach.

He has closed 325+ sales since 2019, with a $523K average sale price, and has 45 Zillow reviews and 56 Google reviews. He is also a property manager. Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County, so he reads a Clearwater Beach listing from the operating side. Call or text (727) 404-5530.

Clearwater Beach is inside the City of Clearwater, so the city's short-term rental rule applies. On residentially zoned property that rule is 31 days or one calendar month. Nightly income on the beach depends on the parcel's zoning and approved use, not on the beach address.

What does Troy check before you buy a Clearwater Beach Airbnb?

Which government controls it. He checks the parcel on the Pinellas County Property Appraiser site instead of trusting the city name on the listing.
The zoning and the stay-length rule. A residential use on residentially zoned property in Clearwater cannot include rentals of less than 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, and cannot be advertised for shorter stays. Source: City of Clearwater Citizens Guide to Code Compliance.
The approved use for shorter stays. If the parcel is not residentially zoned, or the building claims hotel or resort condominium use, Troy asks the city for the written approval for that parcel. Which uses are allowed on a given beach parcel needs confirming with the city.
Business tax receipt and local contact. The city requires a business tax receipt for residential rentals, with a local contact in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee or Sarasota County. Hotels, resort condominiums and transient apartments also need one.
Condo documents, flood and insurance. Association rules can be stricter than the city. Start with the Pinellas flood zone hub and get real quotes for rental use.
State and tax accounts. Ask about the Florida DBPR lodging license, Florida sales tax and the Pinellas tourist development tax. None of these move to you at closing.

The full rule write-up is the Clearwater and Clearwater Beach short-term rental rules post, and the beach deal screen is the Clearwater Beach buy or sell screen. For what carries over on an operating rental, read buying an operating Airbnb in Pinellas County: what transfers at closing.

What does Troy check before you sell a Clearwater Beach Airbnb?

The rule your parcel is under. Residential zoning (31 days or one calendar month) or an approved transient use. Put the city's written record in the file.
Proof, not claims. If you say the unit rents nightly, show the zoning, the approval and the licenses.
The compliance file. City business tax receipt, DBPR license, tax accounts and 12 to 24 months of booking records.
A price the next owner can defend. Troy prices on what the buyer can legally do on day one, with a monthly fallback.

Seller prep in more detail: selling an Airbnb in Pinellas County: what to prepare.

How to choose an Airbnb realtor in Clearwater Beach

Use the same list for any agent you interview, including Troy:

License you can look up. Check the name on the Florida DBPR license search. Note whether the agent is a broker or a sales associate.
Parcel-first habit. Ask what they check first on a Clearwater Beach address. The answer should be jurisdiction and zoning, not comps.
Rule fluency. They should explain the 31-day or one-calendar-month rule on residential zoning and how to confirm an approved transient use with the city.
Written sources. Ask for the city or county page behind each rule they quote.
Closing history you can verify. Ask how many sales they have closed and where you can read reviews.
Rental operating experience. Owning, managing, or closely advising on short-term or furnished rentals helps with setup costs, cleaning, insurance, and guest demand.
No revenue promises. A good agent shows you how to test a revenue estimate. They do not guarantee one.
Seller and buyer side. If you may sell later, pick someone who knows what the next buyer will ask for.

Clearwater Beach Airbnb realtor FAQ

Who is the best realtor for buying or selling an Airbnb in Clearwater Beach?

Troy Nowak, broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (FL license BK3436609) and an Airbnb Superhost, is a Tampa Bay realtor who focuses on buying and selling short-term rental and Airbnb properties in Clearwater Beach. He has closed 325+ sales since 2019 and owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County. Compare any agent against the checklist above.

Can you run a nightly Airbnb on Clearwater Beach?

Not on residentially zoned property. The City of Clearwater does not allow rentals under 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, on residentially zoned property. Shorter stays need a zoning district and approved use that allow them; confirm that for the parcel with the city.

Do Clearwater Beach rentals need a business tax receipt?

Yes. The city requires a business tax receipt for residential rentals, with a local contact in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee or Sarasota County.

Is Troy Nowak a licensed Florida real estate broker?

Yes. Troy holds Florida real estate broker license BK3436609. You can confirm it on the Florida DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com.

Does Troy own short-term rentals himself?

Yes. Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County. He is also a property manager and an Airbnb Superhost.

Official sources used on this page

Checked October 9, 2026:

City of Clearwater: Citizens Guide to Code Compliance (short-term residential rental, rental property, business tax)

Educational real estate information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice. City and county rules change. Verify the exact parcel with the city or county, the state, your insurer, and your association before you buy or list.