St. Petersburg, FL Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Fla. Stat. §509.032(7)(b) prohibits Florida municipalities from prohibiting vacation rentals or regulating the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals — a statewide preemption that took effect with grandfathering for pre-June 1, 2011 ordinances. Within that constraint, St. Petersburg operates a Vacation Rental Registration Program requiring annual registration with the city, designation of a local responsible party available 24/7, parking and occupancy disclosures, and compliance with noise, trash, and life-safety standards. Operators must also collect and remit: (1) Florida state sales tax of 6% on transient rentals under Fla. Stat. §212.03; (2) Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax of 6% on stays under six months under Fla. Stat. §125.0104 — collected by the Pinellas County Tax Collector; (3) Pinellas County discretionary sales surtax (currently 1%); and (4) registration with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, as a transient public lodging establishment under Fla. Stat. §509.241. For long-term rentals (30+ days), no city rental cap exists, but the ADU owner-occupancy condition in single-family districts limits non-owner-occupied operation. Fla. Stat. Chapter 83 (Landlord and Tenant Act) governs residential leases and limits municipal regulation. HOA and condominium covenants in St. Petersburg neighborhoods such as Snell Isle, Old Northeast, Driftwood, and many waterfront condo associations frequently impose stricter rental minimums — 30 days, 90 days, six months, or one year are common — and these covenants are generally enforceable under Florida case law including White Egret Condominium v. Franklin and progeny.