How Largo Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide
Largo maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Largo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Insurance Requirements
Largo short-term rental owners must maintain liability coverage that satisfies Florida licensing and the Pinellas County Certificate of Use, which mandates $1 million in commercial general liability naming the county as additional insured.
Key details: Minimum $1,000,000: Minimum $1,000,000 commercial liability required. Pinellas County: Pinellas County must be named as additional insured. Proof Of: Proof of insurance required for Certificate of Use renewal. Standard Homeowner: Standard homeowner policies usually exclude STR claims. F.s. Chapter: F.S. Chapter 509 also requires liability coverage.
Operating without compliant coverage can result in suspension of the Pinellas Certificate of Use, code citations, and personal financial exposure for guest injuries that homeowner policies refuse to cover.
This is one of the stricter rules in Largo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Noise Rules
Vacation rental guests in Largo must follow city noise rules and the Pinellas County quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., with a 24/7 hotline available for neighbor complaints.
Key details: Pinellas County Quiet: Pinellas County quiet hours apply 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.. Largo Enforces General: Largo enforces general noise nuisance provisions. F.s. 509.032(7) Preserves: F.S. 509.032(7) preserves local STR noise enforcement. Pinellas Str Hotline: Pinellas STR hotline (727) 353-2436 receives complaints. Quiet-hour Rules Must: Quiet-hour rules must be posted inside the rental.
Repeated noise violations may lead to municipal citations, escalating fines, and suspension of the Pinellas County Certificate of Use that allows continued short-term rental operation.
Taxes & Fees
Largo hosts must collect 7 percent Florida sales tax, the 6 percent Pinellas Tourist Development Tax, and pay city Business Tax Receipt and Pinellas Certificate of Use fees on each renewal.
Key details: Taxes: 6 percent Florida sales tax plus 1 percent county surtax apply. Taxes: 6 percent Pinellas Tourist Development Tax also applies. Taxes: Annual Largo Business Tax Receipt required. Fees: $150 initial and $450 annual Pinellas Certificate of Use fees. Taxes: Cleaning fees are taxable as part of the rent.
Failure to remit bed tax accrues interest, penalties up to fifty percent of unpaid tax, and may trigger a county tax warrant and lien recorded against the rental property.
This is one of the stricter rules in Largo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Parking Rules
Largo Ordinance 2019-28 requires at least one off-street parking space for every three guests at a short-term vacation rental, with no on-grass parking and no overnight right-of-way parking.
Key details: Parking Required: 1 per 3 guests off-street. Lawn Parking: Prohibited landscape. Vehicle Restrictions: Boats RVs front yards. Vehicle Limit: Posted inside unit. Local Enforcement: F.S. 509.032(7) preserved.
Parking violations are typically cited under Largo's Comprehensive Development Code, with fines per vehicle and tow risk for cars blocking driveways, fire hydrants, or sidewalks.
Occupancy Limits
Largo Ordinance 2019-28 caps short-term rental occupancy at one guest per 150 gross square feet of air-conditioned living space, with the limit posted inside the unit and on listings.
Key details: Setbacks: Cap of one guest per 150 gross square feet conditioned space. Floor-area Calculation Rather: Floor-area calculation rather than bedroom count. Limit Must: Limit is posted inside the rental. Listing Must Reflect: Listing must reflect the same maximum occupancy. Fire Department Inspects: Fire Department inspects for life-safety compliance.
Exceeding the occupancy cap can lead to municipal citations, suspension of the city Business Tax Receipt, and revocation of the Pinellas County Certificate of Use after repeat violations.
This is one of the stricter rules in Largo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Permit Requirements
Largo Ordinance 2019-28 requires every short-term vacation rental to pass a city compliance inspection, a fire life-safety inspection, and designate a 24/7 responsible party before any stay under six months.
Key details: Governed Largo: Governed by Largo Ordinance 2019-28. Requirements: City compliance and fire life-safety inspections required. Signage: Designated responsible party must be available 24/7. Hours/Times: Responsible party must reach the unit within two hours. Permit/License: Florida DBPR license and Business Tax Receipt also required.
Operating without inspections or a designated responsible party can trigger code citations, daily accruing fines, suspension of the Pinellas Certificate of Use, and a recorded lien against the property.
This is one of the stricter rules in Largo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
Largo is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Largo, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
These rules come from Largo's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.