Last Updated: October 9, 2025
Navigating short-term rental (STR) regulations in Pinellas County, Florida requires understanding county ordinances, municipal codes, and state laws including registration with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This comprehensive guide equips property owners, investors, and vacation rental operators with a clear legal framework for operating STRs in Pinellas County in 2025 according to Florida Realtors® compliance guidelines.
Regulatory Overview: Pinellas County STR Compliance at a Glance
Regulation AspectUnincorporated Pinellas CountySt. PetersburgClearwaterBeach Communities (Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks, Redington Beach)Licensing / PermitCertificate of Use (COU) requiredSTR License + DBPR registrationSTR License + Business Tax ReceiptAnnual STR License requiredInitial License Fee$450 (split payment first year)$250 initial + $150 inspection fee$300 initial + $150 inspection fee$200-$400 annual feeRenewal Fee$450 annually$150 annually$200 annuallyAnnual renewalInspection Fees$150 initial, $100 re-inspection every 2 years$150 life safety inspectionLife safety inspection requiredLife safety inspections (annual/biennial)Occupancy LimitsMax 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra; max 10 total2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra2 guests/bedroom + 2 extraSimilar occupancy limitsParking Requirements1 off-street space per 3 occupants (rounded up)1 space per bedroom on-site1 space per bedroom minimumStrictly enforced parkingQuiet Hours10 PM - 7 AM10 PM - 7 AM10 PM - 7 AMStandard quiet hour enforcementTaxationTourist Development Tax 6% + Sales Tax 7% (6% state +1% local surtax)SameSameSameDensity LimitsN/AMax 10% of homes per block as STRN/AN/AInsurance$1 million commercial liability minimum; county named additional insured$1 million liability insurance$1 million liability insuranceCommercial liability insuranceEnforcement Penalties$500-$1,000 first violation; $1,000-$5,000+ subsequent; license revocation possible$500/day unlicensed; $1,000 second violation; license revocation 2 yearsFines and revocation per city codeFines, suspension, revocation
Related Resources
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The Top Five Areas For Walkability In Pinellas County
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Where Can You Legally Run A Short-term Rental In St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and St. Pete Beach
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Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed In Clearwater Florida?
Permit Types Comparison for Pinellas County STRs
Permit TypeAreaRequirementsCostCertificate of Use (COU)Unincorporated Pinellas CountyMandatory COU application, inspection, life safety compliance$450 initial (split payment first year); $450 annual renewal; $150 initial inspection; $100 re-inspection every 2 yearsSTR LicenseSt. Petersburg, ClearwaterSTR license, DBPR registration, business tax receipt$250-$300 initial + $150 inspection; $150-$200 annual renewalsAnnual STR LicenseBeach Communities (e.g., Indian Rocks Beach)Annual license application, possible life safety inspection$200-$400 annually
Key Regulations Summary and Penalties
RegulationRequirementPenalty for Non-ComplianceLicensing/PermitObtain COU or STR license before operation$500/day unlicensed operation; fines $500-$5,000+; license revocation possibleOccupancy LimitsMax 2 persons/bedroom + 2 extra; total max 10 guestsFines up to $300/day; possible license suspensionParkingProvide 1 off-street parking space per 3 occupantsCitations and fines; towing possibleQuiet HoursNo outdoor noise 10 PM - 7 AMFines up to $300/dayLife Safety InspectionsPass initial and biennial building & fire safety inspectionsRe-inspection fees apply; COU/license suspension for failureInsuranceMaintain $1 million commercial liability insuranceNon-compliance can cause permit denial or revocationTaxationRemit Tourist Development Tax + State & Local Sales TaxPenalties and interest on late payments
Compliance Checklist for Pinellas County STR Operators
RequirementDetailsDeadline/FrequencyObtain DBPR Vacation Rental RegistrationState registration via Department of Business & Professional RegulationInitial + Biennial RenewalApply for Certificate of Use (COU)Submit application with fees to Pinellas CountyBy May 31, 2025 (new applications) + Annual renewalSchedule and Pass Life Safety InspectionBuilding code and safety inspection with $150 feeInitial + Re-inspection every 2 years ($100 fee)Obtain County Business Tax ReceiptApply with Tax Collector; proof of insurance requiredAnnualMaintain $1 Million Commercial Liability InsuranceCounty must be named additional insuredProof annuallyDisplay COU or STR License Number in AdvertisingRequired on all rental ads and platformsOngoingEnforce Occupancy LimitsMaximum 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra, max 10 totalOngoingProvide Required Off-Street Parking Spaces1 parking space per 3 guests (rounded up); no front lawn parkingOngoingPost Guest Information and House RulesEmergency contacts, noise limits, trash pickup days, parking mapOngoingRemit Tourist Development Tax (6%)Collected quarterly if annual revenue > $15,000QuarterlyRemit State.
Local Sales Tax (7%)Monthly or quarterly filings with Florida Department of RevenueMonthly/QuarterlySchedule Biennial Re-InspectionMaintain compliance with life safety standardsEvery 2 years
Step-by-Step Compliance Process for Pinellas County STR Owners
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Register with Florida DBPR: Obtain your vacation rental registration and comply with state requirements.
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Apply for Certificate of Use (COU): Submit application and fees to Pinellas County by May 31, 2025 (or applicable deadline).
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Schedule Initial Life Safety Inspection: Pay $150 fee and pass inspection per county standards.
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Obtain County Business Tax Receipt: Apply with Tax Collector and provide proof of insurance.
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Provide Proof of Liability Insurance: Maintain $1 million commercial liability insurance naming the county as additional insured.
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Display COU Number and House Rules: Include license number and occupancy, parking, and quiet hour rules in all rental listings and onsite.
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Remit Applicable Taxes: Submit Tourist Development Tax and sales tax as required.
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Schedule and Pass Biennial Re-Inspection: Pay $100 re-inspection fee every two years to maintain COU validity.
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Renew COU Annually: Submit renewal application and fees each year by the deadline.
Common Violations to Avoid ⚠️
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Operating without a valid license or COU: Can result in fines up to $500/day and license revocation.
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Exceeding occupancy limits: Violations may lead to daily fines and complaints.
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Insufficient off-street parking: Front lawn parking is not allowed; must meet parking requirements to avoid penalties.
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Failure to pass life safety inspections: Can cause re-inspection fees and license suspension.
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Not remitting required taxes timely: Leads to penalties and interest charges.
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Ignoring quiet hours: Noise complaints can result in fines and increased scrutiny.
Timeline for Pinellas County STR Compliance (2025)
Compliance StepDeadlineNotesNew COU ApplicationsMay 31, 2025Applies to unincorporated county STR ownersCOU RenewalMay 31 AnnuallyAnnual renewal requiredInitial Life Safety InspectionWithin 30 days of COU approvalInspections scheduled 5-10 business days after application reviewTax Registration & ReportingOngoingQuarterly for Tourist Development Tax if applicable
Additional Resources
For additional guidance and tourism market insights:
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City of St. Petersburg - Municipal STR regulations
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Suncoast Tampa Association of REALTORS - Local real estate professionals
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Visit St. Pete/Clearwater - Tourism and market data
Related Articles
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Tampa Bay Market Predictions 2025
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Property Management Services
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Contact Us for STR Consulting
Need expert guidance? Contact our team for personalized real estate advice in the Tampa Bay area.
This guide is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions. For the most current information, contact Troy Nowak directly.
Additional Information from Related Guide
Last Updated: October 9, 2025
Pinellas County's 2025 short-term rental regulations require strict compliance for all vacation rental properties in unincorporated areas. With new occupancy limits, mandatory inspections, and operational requirements, understanding these regulations is essential for legal operation and avoiding costly penalties.
This comprehensive guide covers the March 2025 ordinance updates, compliance requirements, and actionable strategies to help you navigate Pinellas County's STR landscape successfully as outlined by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Key Takeaway: Pinellas County requires a Certificate of Use for all short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, with a maximum occupancy of 10 guests, mandatory safety inspections, and annual fees of $450. The application deadline for 2025 i...
Additional Information from Related Guide
Last Updated: October 9, 2025
Everything Airbnb and VRBO Hosts Need to Know About Pinellas County STR Inspections
Pinellas County has implemented mandatory Certificate of Use (COU) inspections for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, effective March 2025. If you own or manage vacation rental properties in Pinellas County, understanding these new requirements is crucial—or risk daily fines and rental suspensions.
This comprehensive 2025 guide covers everything you need to know: who must comply, key deadlines by ZIP code, what inspectors actually check, how to pass on your first try, and the operational rules you must follow once approved.
Key Takeaway: Most inspection failures happen on egress windows and pool safety. Budget time and money to fix these before your inspection—not after.
Who Must Comply with Pinellas County STR Inspections
The new inspection program applies ...
About the Author
Troy NowakLicensed Florida Real Estate Broker | Mangrove Bay Realty LLC
Troy Nowak is a licensed Florida real estate broker and the owner-operator of Mangrove Bay Realty LLC, specializing in short-term rentals and land investments across Central Florida. With a remarkable record of over 400 homes sold in the last five years, Troy combines deep market expertise with hands-on property management to deliver outstanding results for his clients and guests alike.
Connect with Troy:
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