Last Updated: October 9, 2025
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Navigating short-term rental (STR) regulations in Pinellas County, Florida requires understanding county ordinances, municipal codes, and state laws. This comprehensive guide equips property owners, investors, and vacation rental operators with a clear legal framework for operating STRs in Pinellas County in 2025.
Regulatory Overview: Pinellas County STR Compliance at a Glance
| Regulation Aspect | Unincorporated Pinellas County | St. Petersburg | Clearwater | Beach Communities (Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks, Redington Beach) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing / Permit | Certificate of Use (COU) required | STR License + DBPR registration | STR License + Business Tax Receipt | Annual STR License required |
| Initial License Fee | $450 (split payment first year) | $250 initial + $150 inspection fee | $300 initial + $150 inspection fee | $200-$400 annual fee |
| Renewal Fee | $450 annually | $150 annually | $200 annually | Annual renewal |
| Inspection Fees | $150 initial, $100 re-inspection every 2 years | $150 life safety inspection | Life safety inspection required | Life safety inspections (annual/biennial) |
| Occupancy Limits | Max 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra; max 10 total | 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra | 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra | Similar occupancy limits |
| Parking Requirements | 1 off-street space per 3 occupants (rounded up) | 1 space per bedroom on-site | 1 space per bedroom minimum | Strictly enforced parking |
| Quiet Hours | 10 PM - 7 AM | 10 PM - 7 AM | 10 PM - 7 AM | Standard quiet hour enforcement |
| Taxation | Tourist Development Tax 6% + Sales Tax 7% (6% state +1% local surtax) | Same | Same | Same |
| Density Limits | N/A | Max 10% of homes per block as STR | N/A | N/A |
| Insurance | $1 million commercial liability minimum; county named additional insured | $1 million liability insurance | $1 million liability insurance | Commercial liability insurance |
| Enforcement Penalties | $500-$1,000 first violation; $1,000-$5,000+ subsequent; license revocation possible | $500/day unlicensed; $1,000 second violation; license revocation 2 years | Fines and revocation per city code | Fines, suspension, revocation |
Permit Types Comparison for Pinellas County STRs
| Permit Type | Area | Requirements | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Use (COU) | Unincorporated Pinellas County | Mandatory COU application, inspection, life safety compliance | $450 initial (split payment first year); $450 annual renewal; $150 initial inspection; $100 re-inspection every 2 years |
| STR License | St. Petersburg, Clearwater | STR license, DBPR registration, business tax receipt | $250-$300 initial + $150 inspection; $150-$200 annual renewals |
| Annual STR License | Beach Communities (e.g., Indian Rocks Beach) | Annual license application, possible life safety inspection | $200-$400 annually |
Key Regulations Summary and Penalties
| Regulation | Requirement | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing/Permit | Obtain COU or STR license before operation | $500/day unlicensed operation; fines $500-$5,000+; license revocation possible |
| Occupancy Limits | Max 2 persons/bedroom + 2 extra; total max 10 guests | Fines up to $300/day; possible license suspension |
| Parking | Provide 1 off-street parking space per 3 occupants | Citations and fines; towing possible |
| Quiet Hours | No outdoor noise 10 PM - 7 AM | Fines up to $300/day |
| Life Safety Inspections | Pass initial and biennial building & fire safety inspections | Re-inspection fees apply; COU/license suspension for failure |
| Insurance | Maintain $1 million commercial liability insurance | Non-compliance can cause permit denial or revocation |
| Taxation | Remit Tourist Development Tax + State & Local Sales Tax | Penalties and interest on late payments |
Compliance Checklist for Pinellas County STR Operators
| Requirement | Details | Deadline/Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain DBPR Vacation Rental Registration | State registration via Department of Business & Professional Regulation | Initial + Biennial Renewal |
| Apply for Certificate of Use (COU) | Submit application with fees to Pinellas County | By May 31, 2025 (new applications) + Annual renewal |
| Schedule and Pass Life Safety Inspection | Building code and safety inspection with $150 fee | Initial + Re-inspection every 2 years ($100 fee) |
| Obtain County Business Tax Receipt | Apply with Tax Collector; proof of insurance required | Annual |
| Maintain $1 Million Commercial Liability Insurance | County must be named additional insured | Proof annually |
| Display COU or STR License Number in Advertising | Required on all rental ads and platforms | Ongoing |
| Enforce Occupancy Limits | Maximum 2 guests/bedroom + 2 extra, max 10 total | Ongoing |
| Provide Required Off-Street Parking Spaces | 1 parking space per 3 guests (rounded up); no front lawn parking | Ongoing |
| Post Guest Information and House Rules | Emergency contacts, noise limits, trash pickup days, parking map | Ongoing |
| Remit Tourist Development Tax (6%) | Collected quarterly if annual revenue > $15,000 | Quarterly |
| Remit State and Local Sales Tax (7%) | Monthly or quarterly filings with Florida Department of Revenue | Monthly/Quarterly |
| Schedule Biennial Re-Inspection | Maintain compliance with life safety standards | Every 2 years |
Step-by-Step Compliance Process for Pinellas County STR Owners
- Register with Florida DBPR: Obtain your vacation rental registration and comply with state requirements.
- Apply for Certificate of Use (COU): Submit application and fees to Pinellas County by May 31, 2025 (or applicable deadline).
- Schedule Initial Life Safety Inspection: Pay $150 fee and pass inspection per county standards.
- Obtain County Business Tax Receipt: Apply with Tax Collector and provide proof of insurance.
- Provide Proof of Liability Insurance: Maintain $1 million commercial liability insurance naming the county as additional insured.
- Display COU Number and House Rules: Include license number and occupancy, parking, and quiet hour rules in all rental listings and onsite.
- Remit Applicable Taxes: Submit Tourist Development Tax and sales tax as required.
- Schedule and Pass Biennial Re-Inspection: Pay $100 re-inspection fee every two years to maintain COU validity.
- Renew COU Annually: Submit renewal application and fees each year by the deadline.
Common Violations to Avoid ⚠️
- Operating without a valid license or COU: Can result in fines up to $500/day and license revocation.
- Exceeding occupancy limits: Violations may lead to daily fines and complaints.
- Insufficient off-street parking: Front lawn parking is not allowed; must meet parking requirements to avoid penalties.
- Failure to pass life safety inspections: Can cause re-inspection fees and license suspension.
- Not remitting required taxes timely: Leads to penalties and interest charges.
- Ignoring quiet hours: Noise complaints can result in fines and increased scrutiny.
Timeline for Pinellas County STR Compliance (2025)
| Compliance Step | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New COU Applications | May 31, 2025 | Applies to unincorporated county STR owners |
| COU Renewal | May 31 Annually | Annual renewal required |
| Initial Life Safety Inspection | Within 30 days of COU approval | Inspections scheduled 5-10 business days after application review |
| Tax Registration & Reporting | Ongoing | Quarterly for Tourist Development Tax if applicable |
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This guide is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions. For the most current information, contact Troy Nowak directly.