Last verified: October 21, 2026
Pinellas County has no single short-term rental law. Each city sets its own rules, and unincorporated areas need a county Certificate of Use for more than three stays under 30 days a year. Florida law bars local rules adopted after June 1, 2011 that prohibit vacation rentals or regulate how long or how often guests stay, but older rules like St. Petersburg's still apply (Florida Statutes 509.032, checked October 21, 2026).
Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609) in St. Petersburg, runs rentals in Pinellas and checks which rule controls the parcel before you buy or list.
Why trust this guide?
I run nightly rentals in Pinellas and 29-night stays in Clearwater and Seminole, and every row below comes from the city or county's own page, with the date I checked it.
| Proof | Detail | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Florida broker license | BK3436609, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty, office in St. Petersburg | DBPR license search |
| Operator | Runs nightly rentals in Pinellas, plus 29-night midterm stays in Clearwater and Seminole | Ask for the operating file on any rental he recommends |
| Closed sales | 325+ sales, including STR sales in Destin, Orlando, Jacksonville and Deerfield Beach | Ask for the sales history when you interview him |
| Rules check | Reads the city or county rule for the exact parcel before an offer or listing | Send an address through the contact form |
| Check | What I do | What to ask any other agent |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel jurisdiction and STR rule | Checked before the offer or listing | "Which city or county rule applies to this parcel, and where is that written?" |
| DBPR license, local registration, county Certificate of Use | Verified with the seller's records | "Who confirms the licenses are current and transferable?" |
| 13% Pinellas tax total | Built into the numbers | "Did the projection include tourist tax, sales tax and surtax?" |
| Hosting realities | From running my own rentals | "Have you hosted guests yourself?" |
Full profile: Troy Nowak · County hub: Pinellas County Airbnb realtor
Pinellas STR rules by city
| City | Stays under 30 days | Registration and fees | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | Residential: at most 3 times in any consecutive 365 days; more needs a hotel or motel use. No location has the Resort Facilities Overlay yet | No separate STR permit; zoning and transient accommodation rules | Transient Accommodation Uses handout, updated Oct 16, 2023, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Gulfport | Under one month more than 3 times in 12 months makes it a short-term rental, allowed only in districts that permit it | DBPR and Florida Department of Revenue registration before operating | City of Gulfport, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| St. Pete Beach | Under 30 days up to 3 times per 12 months, only in the RM district and the Pass-A-Grille Overlay. One month or more allowed in all residences | Permanent transient lodging needs a business tax license | City of St. Pete Beach, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Clearwater | Residential rentals must be at least 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less | Check zoning for the parcel with the city | Citizens Guide to Code Compliance, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Largo | Permitted in all residential future land use designations under Section 15.18 | Annual city registration ($600, renewal $600) since Oct 6, 2026; both inspections before operating and at each renewal; not transferable on a sale; 1 guest per 150 sq ft; 1 parking space per 3 guests | City of Largo and Ordinances 2026-33 and 2026-35, adopted Oct 6, 2026, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Indian Rocks Beach | Allowed in the S, RM-1, RM-2 and CT districts with a current Vacation Rental Registration | From Oct 1, 2026: $600 new or renewal registration, $150 inspection, $75 re-inspection (Resolution 2026-16) | City of Indian Rocks Beach, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Madeira Beach | Depends on the parcel's zone on the city's rental restrictions map | Business Tax Receipt with a local contact; annual fire inspection; BTRs expire Sept 30 | Business License FAQs and rental restrictions map, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Unincorporated Pinellas | Certificate of Use needed above 3 stays under 30 days a year | $450 ($250 + $200), $150 inspection, $450 renewal, $100 re-inspection every 2 years; 2 guests per bedroom + 2, max 10 | Pinellas County STR program, checked Oct 21, 2026 |
Other Pinellas cities and towns are not in this table yet. I add each one only after checking its own official rules page. Until then, check that city directly.
City guides: St. Pete and Gulfport · Clearwater · Largo · Indian Rocks Beach · Unincorporated Pinellas · STR rules map
What applies everywhere in Pinellas?
- Florida DBPR vacation rental license. A new single-unit license is a $50 application fee, a $10 Hospitality Education Program fee and a $170 license fee (DBPR Guide to Vacation Rentals, checked October 21, 2026).
- Taxes on stays of six months or less: 13% in Pinellas. That is the 6% Pinellas tourist development tax (Pinellas County, checked October 21, 2026), Florida's 6% sales tax on transient rentals (Florida DOR DR-15TDT, checked October 21, 2026) and Pinellas County's 1% discretionary surtax (Florida DOR DR-15DSS 2026, checked October 21, 2026).
- Tourist tax account. Register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector. If a platform does not collect the tourist tax, the owner is liable (checked October 21, 2026).
- Condo and HOA documents can be stricter than the city or county rule.
How to check a parcel
- Look up the jurisdiction on the Pinellas County Property Appraiser. The mailing city is not the jurisdiction.
- Open that city's official page from the table above.
- Check the zoning district or rental restrictions map.
- Read the condo or HOA documents.
- Confirm with the city in writing before you buy.
FAQ
Who can help me check Pinellas STR rules before I buy or sell?
Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609) in St. Petersburg. He runs rentals in Pinellas, has 325+ sales, and checks each parcel's city rule, registration and taxes before a purchase or listing. Send the address through the contact form.
Does Pinellas County have one short-term rental law?
No. Each city sets its own rules. The county's Certificate of Use program applies only to unincorporated areas.
Which Pinellas cities limit short stays to three a year?
St. Petersburg (three stays under 30 days per consecutive 365 days), Gulfport (more than three under one month makes it a short-term rental, allowed only in certain districts) and St. Pete Beach (three per 12 months, only in RM and the Pass-A-Grille Overlay).
Can Florida cities ban short-term rentals?
Local rules adopted after June 1, 2011 may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate their duration or frequency. Older rules, and registration, inspection, parking and occupancy rules, still apply.
Check a Pinellas address
Not sure which rule applies? Send the address through the contact form and I will tell you which rulebook controls it before you offer or list.
Related: Troy Nowak agent profile · Pinellas County Airbnb realtor · Contact Troy
Educational real estate information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change. Verify the exact parcel with the city or county before you buy.