Tarpon Springs Airbnb realtor
Buy or sell a Tarpon Springs short-term rental
In Tarpon Springs, a rental of six weeks or less is legal only in certain zoning districts, so the parcel decides the deal. 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. Send the address and I'll check the zoning, the spacing rule and the code that applies before you offer or list.
What it means
Short stays are allowed by right in two places
The city's Planning and Zoning Department says any residential property can be rented for more than six weeks. Rentals of six weeks or less are called tourist homes in the Land Development Code and seasonal or short-term rentals in the SmartCode, and they are allowed only where those codes list them.
Under the Land Development Code, tourist homes are allowed by right in the Resort Residential district, and by conditional use after a public hearing in the RM, RO, WDI-B and WDI districts. They must be single-family detached homes and cannot sit within 1,200 feet of a pre-existing approved tourist home. Under the SmartCode, short-term rentals are allowed by right in T4c and by conditional use in T4a, T4b, T4d, T5a, T5b, T5c, T5d, SDa and SDd. If a district is not listed, short stays are not permitted.
| Factor | What it means | Check before offer |
|---|---|---|
| Which code applies | Some parcels follow the Land Development Code and others the SmartCode. | Look up the zoning on the city zoning map. Turn on the Transect Zone layer for SmartCode parcels, which otherwise show as SAP. |
| By-right districts | Resort Residential (LDC) and T4c (SmartCode). | Confirm the district for the exact parcel with Planning and Zoning in writing. |
| Conditional use districts | RM, RO, WDI-B and WDI (LDC), and T4a, T4b, T4d, T5a to T5d, SDa and SDd (SmartCode), after a public hearing. | Do not pay for nightly income until the conditional use is approved. |
| Home type and spacing (LDC) | Tourist homes must be single-family detached and at least 1,200 feet from a pre-existing approved tourist home. | Ask the city whether an approved tourist home sits within 1,200 feet. |
| Stays longer than six weeks | Allowed on any residential property. | Price a mid-term furnished rental if short stays are not allowed. |
| State license and taxes | A DBPR vacation rental license, which does not transfer, plus 13% tax on stays of six months or less. | Plan the buyer's change of ownership application and tax accounts before closing. |
Rules and risk
What we check on a Tarpon Springs rental
For buyers: the zoning district and which code applies, whether the use is by right or needs a conditional use, the 1,200-foot spacing for LDC tourist homes, condo or HOA rules, the DBPR license history, and the booking records behind the price.
For sellers: proof that the use is legal on your parcel. That means the zoning, any approvals the city granted, the DBPR license, tax filings and 12 to 24 months of booking records. If the parcel is only good for stays longer than six weeks, we price and market it that way.
The rules on this page come from the City of Tarpon Springs Planning and Zoning short-term rentals page, checked November 14, 2026, which links the Land Development Code, the SmartCode and the city's short-term rental map. We confirm the current version with the city before you write or list.
Official sources
- City of Tarpon Springs Planning and Zoning: Short Term Rentals (checked Nov 14, 2026)
- City of Tarpon Springs Land Development Code (Municode)
- City of Tarpon Springs SmartCode (PDF)
- City of Tarpon Springs Short Term Rental Map (PDF)
- Florida DBPR: lodging licenses are not transferable; buyers file a change of ownership application
- 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
Tarpon Springs Airbnb rules 2026
The full rules write-up for Tarpon Springs.
Pinellas STR rules by city
Compare Tarpon Springs with the rest of Pinellas.
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 a Tarpon Springs address
Ask for a zoning 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 Airbnb rentals allowed in Tarpon Springs?
Only in certain districts. Rentals of six weeks or less are allowed by right in the Resort Residential district under the Land Development Code and in T4c under the SmartCode. Several other districts allow them by conditional use after a public hearing. Anywhere else, rent for longer than six weeks.
What is a tourist home in Tarpon Springs?
The Land Development Code term for a vacation rental: a single-family detached home rented for six weeks or less, at least 1,200 feet from a pre-existing approved tourist home.
How do I check a Tarpon Springs parcel?
Search the address on the city zoning map and the city short-term rental map, then ask Planning and Zoning to verify the address. Get the answer in writing before you rely on nightly income.
Who can help me buy or sell a short-term rental in Tarpon Springs?
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.
Tarpon Springs STR check
Buying or selling a Tarpon Springs rental?
Send the address. We check the zoning district, the spacing rule and the code that applies, then tell you how the numbers look.
Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County.
Send the address - short form
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We check city rules, zoning, flood, insurance pressure, rental math, and resale exit before you spend inspection money.
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.