Short-Term Rentals in Palm Coast, FL

Palm Coast maintains 64 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 Palm Coast falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Since March 3, 2025, Palm Coast has required every short-term vacation rental to register with the city and pay the applicable fee before renting. Sec. 17-68(a) bars renting or leasing any portion of a dwelling as a short-term vacation rental without that registration, and each unit or portion of a unit used this way needs its own separate registration.

Key details: Registration required since: March 3, 2025. Registration term: 12 months, renewed annually. Unit scope: Separate registration per unit or portion. Required proofs: County business tax receipt, state DBPR license. Renewal bar: Blocked if violations, fines or liens outstanding.

Sec. 17-74 makes noncompliance with any provision of Article V, including the specific registration paragraphs of Sec. 17-68, a code violation enforceable under Sec. 17-75. The city issues a warning with a correction period for a first-time violation, notifying agencies such as the DBPR, Department of Revenue, and the Flagler County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser as applicable; a failure to correct results in a citation and prosecution before the Code Enforcement Board under F.S. ch. 162, plus injunctive relief, liens or other civil and criminal penalties.

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

Occupancy Limits

Palm Coast caps how many guests can stay in a short-term vacation rental. Sec. 17-71(2) limits occupancy to two transient occupants per sleeping room or habitable space, with an overall maximum of ten transient occupants per unit; children three years old or younger are not counted toward that cap.

Key details: Per-room limit: 2 transient occupants per sleeping room. Total unit maximum: 10 transient occupants per rental. Exempt from count: Children age 3 or younger. Governing section: City Code § 17-71(2). Must match: Lease and advertising per Sec. 17-68(a)(2)c., (a)(9).

Advertising or renting a unit above the two-per-room, ten-total occupancy cap, or failing to disclose the correct maximum occupancy in the lease and advertising as Sec. 17-68(a)(2)c. and (a)(9) require, is a violation of Article V under Sec. 17-74, enforced through the warning-then-citation process of Sec. 17-75, including referral to the Code Enforcement Board under F.S. ch. 162 and potential fines, liens or injunctive relief.

Taxes & Fees

Registering a short-term vacation rental in Palm Coast costs a City Council-set application fee on top of proving compliance with county and state lodging taxes. Sec. 17-68(a)(4) through (7) requires a Flagler County business tax receipt, a Florida Department of Revenue tourist development tax registration certificate, a DBPR transient lodging license, and the city's own application fee before the city will issue a certificate.

Key details: City application fee: Set by City Council resolution. County tax proof required: Flagler County business tax receipt. State tax proof required: FL Dept. of Revenue tourist development tax cert.. State license required: DBPR transient public lodging license. Renewal term: Annual, 12 months.

Operating without the paid city application fee, or without proof of the county tourist development tax registration and DBPR license required by Sec. 17-68(a)(4) through (6), makes the rental noncompliant with Article V and triggers the warning-then-citation process of Sec. 17-74 and 17-75. A registration also cannot be renewed while fees, fines or liens tied to a prior violation remain outstanding, per Sec. 17-69(b).

The Bottom Line

Palm Coast'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 Palm Coast is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Palm Coast'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.