Short-Term Rentals in Clearwater, FL

Clearwater maintains 71 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Clearwater falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Night Caps

Clearwater does not impose an annual night cap, because Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts cities adopted after June 1, 2011 from limiting the frequency or duration of vacation rentals. Instead, the city enforces a zoning-based minimum-stay floor: rentals of less than 31 days, or one calendar month, are prohibited in residential zoning districts. Tourist District and Commercial parcels with a Business Tax Receipt may rent for any duration with no per-year night limit.

Key details: Annual Night Cap: None; preempted by F.S. 509.032(7)(b). Residential Minimum Stay: 31 days or one calendar month. Tourist or Commercial Zones: No minimum stay; BTR required. Booking Frequency Cap: None for permitted parcels. Primary Residence Rule: Not required.

Renting a residential parcel for less than 31 days violates Clearwater's zoning code and Code Compliance fines apply: $250 per day for a first violation and $500 per day for repeats. Advertising daily or weekly availability for a residential property is a separate violation, even if no booking occurs.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Before renting any home, condo or apartment in Clearwater for less than 30 days, the owner must obtain a city business tax receipt under section 29.30 of the Code. Short-term rentals classified in Appendix A section 091.010 carry an extra condition the standard, 30-day-or-longer rental does not: Planning Department approval under Note C.

Key details: Governing requirement: City Code § 29.30 (BTR required). Application review: § 29.31, up to 30 days. Extra STR condition: Planning Dept. approval (Note C). State/county condition: Inspection or license (Note D). Appeal window: Right of appeal under § 29.44.

Renting out a unit under the short-term classification without first clearing the zoning verification, Planning Department approval and any required police or health department sign-off exposes the owner to the same penalties as any unlicensed business under Article II: a 25 percent penalty fee under Appendix A for operating before the receipt issues, plus civil penalty exposure under section 1.12, and the director can also deny or revoke the receipt for cause under section 29.41.

This is one of the stricter rules in Clearwater's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Taxes & Fees

Clearwater requires a city business tax receipt for any single-family home, duplex, condo, townhouse, apartment, hotel room or bed-and-breakfast rented for less than 30 days. Appendix A section 091.010 sets the base fee at $31.50 for one to five units on the same parcel, plus $1.70 per additional unit, renewable every September 30.

Key details: Base fee (1-5 units): $31.50 under § 091.010. Each additional unit: $1.70. Annual due date: September 30 each year. Delinquent fee: 10% Oct. plus 5%/mo, max 25%. Admin fee after Jan. 31: 2x tax, capped at $250.

The finance director and city inspectors enforce the schedule; unpaid or expired receipts accrue the escalating October delinquent fee and January administrative fee automatically. Operating a short-term rental without ever securing the business tax receipt draws a 25 percent penalty fee plus the civil penalty process under section 1.12, and repeat or willful noncompliance can be referred to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board or county court under Article 7 of the Community Development Code.

The Bottom Line

Clearwater's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Clearwater is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Clearwater's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.