Indian Shores Airbnb realtor
Buy or sell an Indian Shores short-term rental
Indian Shores is one of the few Pinellas beach towns that says plainly it has no rental restrictions. The town's own FAQ tells owners to check with their condo association instead. I'm Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609). I've sold 300+ investment properties in Pinellas, St. Pete, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Bradenton and Tampa in the last five years, I own and manage six short-term and furnished rentals, and I'm an Airbnb Superhost. If you want to buy or sell a vacation rental here, send the address and I'll check the building, the state license and the tax setup first.
What it means
The town allows it. The building decides.
The Town of Indian Shores answers the question directly on its website: "The Town of Indian Shores does not have rental restrictions, you will need to contact your condo association or speak to the owner." That makes Indian Shores different from neighbors like Madeira Beach, where the rental restrictions map controls short stays, and Indian Rocks Beach, which requires a city Vacation Rental Registration.
Most of the town is Gulf-front condos, so the association documents usually set the real rule. A building can require a minimum lease, cap the number of rentals a year, or require board approval of each tenant. Price an Indian Shores unit on what its own declaration and rules allow, not on what the town allows.
| Factor | What it means | Check before offer |
|---|---|---|
| Town rule | The town FAQ says Indian Shores has no rental restrictions. | Read the town FAQ and code for the exact parcel, and get any answer you rely on from town staff in writing. |
| Condo or HOA rules | The association is usually the real gate. Under section 718.110(13), Florida Statutes, a condo rental amendment binds owners who take title after it passes. | Get the declaration, rules and every recorded amendment, plus any rental amendment on the next agenda. |
| State license | A Florida DBPR vacation rental license is required, and it does not transfer to a buyer. | Plan the buyer's change of ownership application before closing. |
| Taxes | Stays of six months or less carry 13%: 6% state sales tax, 1% county surtax and 6% Pinellas tourist development tax. | Ask the seller which bookings the platform collected tax on and for the tourist tax account history. |
| Booking records | Revenue a buyer can verify supports the price. | Ask for 12 to 24 months of payout reports and the bookings that run past closing. |
| Indian Rocks Beach next door | A separate city with its own Vacation Rental Registration, guest cap and inspections. | Confirm which town the parcel is in on the Property Appraiser record. The mailing address can mislead. |
Rules and risk
What we check on an Indian Shores rental
For buyers: the town the parcel is actually in, the condo or HOA rental rules and any pending amendment, the DBPR license history, the tax accounts you will open in your own name, insurance quotes for rental use, and the booking records behind the asking price.
For sellers: a clean file. That means the association's rental rules in writing, the DBPR license, tax filings, 12 to 24 months of booking records, and a list of bookings after closing with the deposits held. A buyer pays more for a rental they can verify.
The town rule on this page comes from the Town of Indian Shores FAQ, checked November 14, 2026. The town code is on Municode. Rules change, so we confirm the current version with the town before you write an offer or list.
Official sources
- Town of Indian Shores FAQ: Does the town have rental restrictions? (checked Nov 14, 2026)
- Town of Indian Shores Code of Ordinances (Municode)
- Town of Indian Shores: Town Ordinances
- City of Indian Rocks Beach: Vacation Rental Information
- Florida DBPR: lodging licenses are not transferable; buyers file a change of ownership application
- Florida DBPR: Vacation Rental Dwelling license, new and change of ownership
- Section 718.110(13), Florida Statutes: condo rental amendments
- Pinellas County Tax Collector: tourist development taxes
- Florida DOR DR-15TDT: local transient rental tax rates
- Florida DOR DR-15DSS 2026: discretionary sales surtax rates
- Pinellas County Property Appraiser: parcel jurisdiction lookup
Indian Rocks Beach: buy or sell
Registration, guest caps and parking for the city next door.
Indian Rocks Beach Airbnb rules 2026
The full rules write-up for the neighboring city.
Pinellas STR rules by city
Compare Indian Shores with stricter beach towns.
Buying an operating Airbnb
What transfers at closing and what a new owner applies for.
Sell your Pinellas short-term rental
How we price and market a rental for sale.
Send an Indian Shores address
Ask for a rules and pricing read on one property.
Free STR rules check by address
Enter a Pinellas address, pick the city, and see the short-term rental rule summary before you make an offer.
Quick answers
What buyers ask before writing on an Airbnb property
Are vacation rentals allowed in Indian Shores, Florida?
The town says yes. Its official FAQ states that the Town of Indian Shores does not have rental restrictions and tells owners to check with their condo association or the owner. Condo and HOA documents can still set a minimum stay or limit rentals.
Who can help me buy or sell a short-term rental in Indian Shores?
Mangrove Bay Realty. The broker (FL license BK3436609) has sold 300+ investment properties in Pinellas, St. Pete, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Bradenton and Tampa in the last five years, owns and manages six short-term and furnished rentals, and is an Airbnb Superhost. Start with the contact form.
Do I need a state license to rent an Indian Shores condo nightly?
Yes. Florida licenses vacation rentals through DBPR. The license is not transferable, so a buyer files a change of ownership application in their own name.
What taxes apply to an Indian Shores vacation rental?
Stays of six months or less carry 13%: 6% Florida sales tax, 1% Pinellas discretionary surtax and the 6% Pinellas tourist development tax.
Is Indian Shores the same as Indian Rocks Beach?
No. They are separate towns. Indian Rocks Beach requires a city Vacation Rental Registration and caps guests by district. Confirm which one a parcel is in on the Property Appraiser record before you rely on either rule.
Indian Shores STR check
Buying or selling an Indian Shores rental?
Send the address. We check the condo rules, the state license and the tax setup, then tell you how the numbers look.
Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County.
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Send Troy the address or MLS listing.
Troy owns and manages six short-term and furnished rentals and has sold 300+ investment properties in Pinellas, St. Pete, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Bradenton and Tampa in the last five years. Send the address you are evaluating for a straightforward read on municipal zoning rules and realistic revenue potential before you tour or make an offer.