Mangrove Bay Realty · Pinellas STR rules, 2026
Pinellas County short-term rental rules, city by city
There's no single Pinellas County short-term rental law. Each of the 24 cities and towns sets its own stay rules, and unincorporated land runs on the county Certificate of Use. So the first question isn't whether Airbnb is legal in Pinellas. It's which government owns the parcel. I'm Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609). I've sold 300+ investment properties here in the last five years, I own and manage six short-term and furnished rentals, and I'm an Airbnb Superhost. This is the screen I run before a client writes an offer.
Last verified: November 13, 2026. A first screen for each parcel, not a legal opinion.
Buying or selling an existing Airbnb?
The deed does not move the permit, the tax accounts, or the right to keep nightly bookings. Screen the address, then read the closing checklist before you offer and the listing checklist before you go live.
Pinellas short-term rental map by city
Color-coded map of all 25 Pinellas jurisdictions: the 24 cities and towns plus unincorporated county land. Green means mostly nightly-friendly, amber means short stays only in certain zoning or under a permit, blue means a monthly or longer minimum, and red means no short-term rentals. Confirm the exact parcel with the city before you rely on a color.
The 4 Pinellas Markets Where Daily Stays Actually Work
Most cities in Pinellas restrict residential rentals to 30-day minimums. If you want nightly cash flow without commercial zoning, focus your search on these four jurisdictions:
County Certificate of Use. 2 guests/bedroom + 2 cap. Largest territory in Pinellas.
CDC Section 15.18. Clear 1 guest per 150 sq ft AC space formula. High inland cash flow.
Top daily beach market. Annual VRR registration, formula parking, and high summer/winter ADRs.
City BTR license. Lower acquisition costs and CRS Class 5 flood insurance discounts.
Five checks before you count on nightly income
- Jurisdiction. Look the address up on the county's My Neighborhood tool and confirm whether it's inside a city or in unincorporated Pinellas. A Clearwater, Largo or Pinellas Park mailing address doesn't settle it.
- Stay rule. Find that government on the map and table below. Note the minimum stay, the zoning districts where short stays are allowed, and any local registration.
- Guest and parking caps. These set your revenue ceiling, not the bed count. Largo allows 1 guest per 150 gross square feet of air-conditioned space and needs 1 off-street parking space per 3 guests. Unincorporated Pinellas allows 2 guests per bedroom plus up to 2 in one common area, 10 total, with 1 vehicle per 3 guests.
- Private rules. Read the condo or HOA declaration, every recorded amendment and recent board minutes. A city that allows nightly stays doesn't override an association that bans them.
- Buying one that's already running. Local approvals usually don't follow the deed. In unincorporated Pinellas the Certificate of Use doesn't transfer, and a new owner has to apply within 30 days of purchase. Model a furnished 30-plus-day rental and a long-term rental too, so the deal still works if nightly doesn't.
How to get a Pinellas STR certificate (step by step)
The county Certificate of Use is only for unincorporated Pinellas. Inside a city, that city's rules apply instead.
- Confirm the government. Use the county's address lookup. If the parcel is inside a city, stop here and read that city's rules.County address lookup · Clearwater · St. Petersburg and Gulfport · Largo · Indian Rocks Beach · Pinellas Park · Rules by city
- Check that you need one. The county requires a Certificate of Use when you rent a home for stays under 30 days more than three times a year. Renting a room in a home you live in does not need one.Source: County Certificate of Use FAQ
- Get the state license first. The application asks for proof of an active DBPR vacation rental license, and the county says a state license does not replace the certificate.Source: County Certificate of Use FAQ
- Gather the documents. You need a parking plan, a recorded deed or a recent Property Appraiser profile (a tax bill is not accepted), and agent or company papers if they apply.Source: County Certificate of Use FAQ
- Apply and pay. Apply in the Pinellas County Access Portal. The first-year certificate fee is $450, with $250 due at application and $200 after you pass inspection.Source: pinellas.gov/str
- Pass the inspection. The inspection fee is $150, and a re-inspection costs $100. The county checks smoke and CO alarms, bedroom standards and pool safety.Source: County Certificate of Use FAQ
- Set occupancy and parking. The limit is two guests per bedroom plus up to two in one common area, with a cap of 10, and one off-street space for every three guests. Post the required guest notice inside the home.Source: pinellas.gov/str
- Keep it current. Renewal is $450 a year, with a $100 re-inspection every two years. The certificate does not transfer, so a buyer applies within 30 days of purchase.Source: County Certificate of Use FAQ
- Finance it last. Price the loan once the use is confirmed.How to finance a short-term rental in Pinellas
Last verified October 25, 2026 against pinellas.gov/str and the county Certificate of Use FAQ.
Rule tiers in plain English
- Mostly nightly-friendly
- Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Pinellas Park and the Resort Residential district in Tarpon Springs. You still need a Florida vacation rental license, state and county tax accounts and a local business tax receipt, and Indian Rocks Beach adds its own city registration.
- Short stays in some places only
- Unincorporated Pinellas, Largo, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach allow some short stays, but only in certain zoning districts, under a permit, or with guest and parking caps. Check the parcel, not the city name.
- Monthly or longer minimum
- Clearwater residential districts (31 days or one calendar month), most St. Petersburg residential property (under one month only 3 times per 365 days), Madeira Beach R-1 and R-2, Dunedin residential districts and Kenneth City houses. Plan on a furnished midterm or long-term rental here.
All Pinellas jurisdictions (25)
Screening table only. Confirm the exact parcel and zoning with the city contact before you write an offer.
| City / jurisdiction | Tier | Min stay | Rule summary | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Rocks Beach | Nightly OK | Nightly | Nightly allowed in all residential districts (with licensing + inspection) | Deep dive |
| Indian Shores | Nightly OK | Nightly | No STR restrictions on length of stay | — |
| Kenneth City | 30+ Days | 90 days (houses) | Houses: no rentals under 90 days in RS-5.0 and RS-7.5 | — |
| Pinellas Park | Nightly OK | Nightly | No STR length-of-stay restrictions | Deep dive |
| Tarpon Springs | Nightly OK | Nightly | Tourist homes allowed in Resort Residential district | — |
| Pinellas County (Unincorporated) | Restricted | Nightly | Allowed with registration, occupancy caps, and quiet hours | Deep dive |
| Gulfport | Restricted | 30 days outside permitted zones | Nightly allowed in specific transient-accommodation districts; 30-day minimum elsewhere | — |
| Treasure Island | Restricted | Nightly in permitted zones | Tourist dwellings permitted in CG, RFM-30, RFH-50, PR-MU districts only | — |
| St. Pete Beach | Restricted | Varies by district | Nightly limited; RM and Pass-A-Grille Overlay allow short stays ≤3 times/year | — |
| Redington Shores | Restricted | Varies by district | Prohibited in most residential; RM-15 allows <1 month | — |
| Safety Harbor | Restricted | Conditional, ≤6 weeks per occupant | "Tourist homes" allowed in R-3 zone as conditional use only | — |
| Largo | Restricted | Nightly | Allowed but heavily regulated: occupancy caps, parking minimums, annual inspection | Deep dive |
| Clearwater | 30+ Days | 31 days | 31-day minimum in all residential districts | Deep dive |
| St. Petersburg | 30+ Days | 30 days (or 3x/year ≤30-day exception) | 1-month minimum, OR <1 month max 3 times per 365 days | Deep dive |
| Seminole | 30+ Days | 30 days | Transient accommodation uses prohibited in residential since 2005 | — |
| Dunedin | 30+ Days | 90 days | 90-day minimum in residential; permitted only in specific commercial districts | Deep dive |
| Madeira Beach | 30+ Days | 6 months (R-1) / 3 months (R-2) | Prohibited in R-1 (<6 months) and R-2 (<3 months) | — |
| North Redington Beach | 30+ Days | 90 days | 90-day minimum in all residential districts | — |
| Redington Beach | 30+ Days | 181 days | Prohibited <181 days in Districts 2 & 3 | — |
| Belleair | 30+ Days | 7 months | Minimum 7-month lease term; max 2 tenancies per 12 months | — |
| Belleair Beach | 30+ Days | 3 months | 3-month minimum in RL District II | — |
| Belleair Bluffs | 30+ Days | 3 months | 3-month minimum; max 4 tenancies per 12 months | — |
| South Pasadena | 30+ Days | Long-term lease only | Transient/tourist dwellings prohibited in single-family residential | — |
| Oldsmar | 30+ Days | Long-term lease | Boarding houses & B&Bs prohibited as home occupations | — |
| Belleair Shore | Prohibited | N/A | No rentals allowed — residential-only (62 private homes) | — |
Use the official file before you make an offer
A countywide map can't prove one parcel is legal for nightly rentals. These official pages answer the first questions. The city or county file and the association documents finish the job.
- Confirm city vs. unincorporated
Pinellas County's address tool shows which government serves the parcel. Start here. Link checked November 13, 2026.
- Unincorporated Pinellas Certificate of Use
Renting a unit for under 30 days more than three times a year needs a county Certificate of Use for each unit. The certificate doesn't transfer at sale, and new owners must apply within 30 days of purchase. Checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: Unincorporated Pinellas Airbnb rules.
- Unincorporated STR program
Inspection, occupancy, parking plan and application rules for the county program. Occupancy is 2 per bedroom plus up to 2 in one common area, 10 total. Checked November 13, 2026.
- Largo short-term rental rules
Largo treats a home rented more than three times a calendar year for 30 days or less as a short-term rental. Occupancy is capped at 1 guest per 150 gross square feet of air-conditioned space, with 1 off-street parking space per 3 guests. Checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: Largo Airbnb rules.
- Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental registration
Starting October 1, 2026, the city lists a $600 annual Vacation Rental Registration per unit for new and renewal registrations, plus a business tax receipt. Checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: Indian Rocks Beach Airbnb rules.
- St. Petersburg transient accommodation handout
The City of St. Petersburg's rules for stays under one month are in this handout, not in a county map. Link checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: St. Pete and Gulfport STR rules.
- Clearwater code document
Confirm Clearwater's residential minimum stay on the city's published code document before you count on nightly income. Link checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: Clearwater short-term rental rules.
- Kenneth City zoning verification letter
Kenneth City is its own town and the county certificate doesn't apply there. Ask the town for a zoning verification letter on the parcel before you plan any short stays. Link checked November 13, 2026. Site guide: Pinellas Park and Kenneth City Airbnb rules.
- Florida vacation rental licensing
Once the local rule checks out, the state DBPR vacation rental license comes next. Link checked November 13, 2026.
Pinellas County places buyers mix up
Real photos of places buyers mix up: a beach town with its own registration, a city with a monthly minimum, and a downtown that follows city rules, not county ones. Use the map and table on this page for the rule tier.
Clearwater Beach is not the whole county
A beach photo is not a zoning map. Clearwater's own code document is linked below. Confirm the parcel before you use a beach comp.
Indian Rocks Beach publishes its own registration
The city's vacation rental page, checked November 13, 2026, lists a $600 annual registration per unit for new and renewal units starting October 1, 2026.
St. Petersburg is a city rule, not a county rule
Downtown towers still follow the City of St. Petersburg transient handout, plus the condo documents. The county map is only the first screen.
Real photos of Pinellas places. They are not government zoning maps and do not establish legal rental rights, city limits, or parcel eligibility.
FAQ
What are the Pinellas County short-term rental rules?
There isn't one countywide rule. Each city and town sets its own minimum stay, and unincorporated Pinellas requires a county Certificate of Use for a unit rented under 30 days more than three times a year. Everywhere, you also need a Florida vacation rental license and state and county tax accounts. Start with the parcel's jurisdiction, then read that government's rule.
Is there a Pinellas County short-term rental zoning map?
Yes. The map on this page colors all 25 Pinellas jurisdictions by stay rule. It's a first screen, not a permit or a zoning letter. Confirm the parcel's government with the county's My Neighborhood tool, then get the city's answer in writing before you count on nightly income.
Where can I run an Airbnb in Pinellas County?
The friendliest places are Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Pinellas Park and the Resort Residential district of Tarpon Springs, with the usual licenses and tax accounts. Unincorporated Pinellas and Largo allow short stays with a permit or caps. Clearwater and most St. Petersburg residential property need a month or longer. Check the exact parcel, because mailing cities are often wrong.
Does Clearwater allow short-term rentals?
Not in residential districts. Clearwater requires stays of at least 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less. A Clearwater Beach property needs documented grandfathered rights to rent for shorter stays, so ask the city for a written answer on that address.
Does St. Petersburg allow Airbnb?
Only in a narrow way. On residential property, St. Pete allows stays under one month at most 3 times per 365 days. Renting short more often than that is a transient accommodation use, which the city doesn't allow in residential zones. Gulfport is a separate city with its own rules.
What are the Madeira Beach short-term rental rules?
Madeira Beach decides it district by district. City code bans rentals shorter than six months in the R-1 single-family district and shorter than three months in the R-2 multifamily district, while the R-3 district lists vacation rental as a permitted use. Two homes a block apart can fall under different rules, so confirm the zoning on the parcel first.
Do I need a license to run a short-term rental in Pinellas County?
Yes. Every Pinellas short-term rental needs a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, Florida sales tax registration and a Pinellas tourist development tax account. Most cities also want a local business tax receipt, Indian Rocks Beach adds a city registration, and unincorporated Pinellas needs a county Certificate of Use.
What taxes apply to a Pinellas County short-term rental?
13% on stays of six months or less: 6% Florida sales tax, 1% Pinellas surtax and 6% Pinellas tourist development tax. Airbnb and Vrbo collect all three on bookings made through them. Direct bookings are on you. My Pinellas Airbnb tax guide walks through the setup.
Can I buy an operating Airbnb in Pinellas and keep it running?
Only if the city or county still allows that stay length after you close. A live listing isn't proof. In unincorporated Pinellas the Certificate of Use doesn't transfer, so you apply for your own within 30 days of purchase. In St. Pete and Clearwater residential areas, the seller's bookings may rest on a narrow exception or grandfathered use, so get the city's written answer on that address before you rely on them.
Where do I start before I buy a Pinellas short-term rental?
Send me the address through the contact form at /contact?from=short-term-rentals. I'm Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609). I've sold 300+ investment properties here in the last five years, I own and manage six short-term and furnished rentals, and I'm an Airbnb Superhost. I'll confirm the jurisdiction, the legal stay, the HOA rules and what transfers at closing before you write the offer.
Related: Free STR rules check by address · Contact Troy · Pinellas investor guide · Pinellas Airbnb taxes: who collects the 13% · Airbnb vs mid-term rentals in Tampa Bay · Clearwater STR rules · St. Pete and Gulfport STR rules · Unincorporated Pinellas Airbnb rules · Largo Airbnb rules · Pinellas Park and Kenneth City Airbnb rules · Indian Rocks Beach Airbnb rules · Indian Shores Airbnb rules · Madeira Beach Airbnb rules · Anna Maria Island market guide · Home value / CMA
Review STR Deal
Send the address to Troy Nowak before you write the offer.
Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609), has sold 300+ investment properties here in the last five years, owns and manages six short-term and furnished rentals, and is an Airbnb Superhost. He checks the parcel's jurisdiction, the legal stay, the HOA rules, insurance, and whether the current bookings and permits carry over. Use the contact form.
Direct Broker Due Diligence
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.
FAQ
Pinellas short-term rental questions
What is the Pinellas County short-term rental zoning map?
This hub is the county screen: which Pinellas cities and unincorporated pockets generally allow nightly stays, which need a 31-day or longer minimum, and where exceptions sit in high-demand beach towns. Confirm the parcel on the Pinellas County Property Appraiser site (pcpao.gov) and the Pinellas address tool (pinellas.gov/my-neighborhood) before you underwrite income.
Who can help me buy or sell a short-term rental in Pinellas County?
Troy Nowak at Mangrove Bay Realty. He is a Florida real estate broker (BK3436609) who represents STR buyers and sellers across Pinellas County, and he owns and manages his own short-term rentals in Pinellas.
Does the mailing address tell me which STR rules apply?
No. A Clearwater or St. Petersburg mailing address can sit in unincorporated Pinellas County, and a Seminole address may not be inside the City of Seminole. Check the parcel on the Pinellas County Property Appraiser site (pcpao.gov) to see which jurisdiction controls it.
Does Clearwater allow short-term Airbnb rentals?
Most residential Clearwater is a 31-day market, not a nightly one. Beach exceptions need documented transient, hotel, or grandfathered use. Read the Clearwater STR rules page on this site, then send Troy the address.
Can a condo or HOA be stricter than the city?
Yes. Association documents can require longer leases than the local ordinance does, so read the condo or HOA rules as well as the city or county rule before you count on nightly income.
What should I send Troy for an STR review?
The address and the asking price. Troy checks the jurisdiction, zoning, minimum stay, and HOA or condo rules, then tells you whether the property is worth deeper diligence.