Short-Term Rentals in Palm Bay, FL

If you live in Palm Bay or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Palm Bay has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Occupancy Limits

Palm Bay has no city-specific short-term rental occupancy cap. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts the city from adopting STR-only occupancy rules unless the ordinance was on the books before June 1, 2011, and Palm Bay did not adopt one. Occupancy is constrained instead by the Florida Building Code, the Florida DBPR vacation-rental license, and Brevard County rules.

Key details: City Occupancy Cap: None. State Preemption: F.S. 509.032(7)(b). Pre-2011 Ordinance: Palm Bay has none. Effective Limit: FL Building Code bedroom rules. DBPR License: Required under F.S. 509.241.

Because Palm Bay does not have a numeric guest cap, enforcement is indirect: code violations (Chapter 92 noise, Section 185.123 RV/vehicle rules, Section 174.007 fences, Chapter 93 nuisance) are cited against the property owner as for any other home. Operating an STR without the required Florida DBPR vacation-rental license under F.S. 509.241 is a misdemeanor enforced by the state, not the city. Failure to collect and remit the 5% Brevard County Tourist Development Tax can result in interest, penalties, and tax liens by the Brevard County Tax Collector.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Palm Bay gives residents more flexibility on occupancy limits.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Palm Bay does not have a city-specific short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement as of 2026. Florida law preempts local STR bans under FL Statute 509.032. Operators must register with the Florida DBPR and obtain a Brevard County Business Tax Receipt.

Key details: City STR Ordinance: None as of 2026. State Preemption: FL §509.032: no local bans. DBPR License: Required statewide. County BTR Fee: $37 annually.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Palm Bay gives residents more flexibility on short-term rental permits.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

No STR-specific parking rules exist in Palm Bay. General residential parking regulations under Chapter 74.25 apply, requiring vehicles to park on paved driveways. Parking on swales or unpaved surfaces is prohibited.

Key details: STR-Specific Rules: None. General Parking Code: Chapter 74.25. Swale Parking: Prohibited. Front Yard: Paved driveway only.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Palm Bay gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Palm Bay's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.