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Short-Term Rentals

Tallahassee's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Tallahassee, Florida, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Occupancy Limits

Tallahassee's Land Development Code sets no short-term rental occupancy cap by name, but it defines a family as a related household plus no more than two unrelated people, and treats four or more unrelated renters as a rooming house.

Key details: Unrelated adults allowed: Two beyond the related family. Rooming house threshold: Four or more unrelated occupants. Guest stay limit: 30 days within a 90-day period. Districts barring rooming houses: RP-1, RP-2, R-1, R-2. Governing definitions: LDC 1-2: family; rooming house.

Exceeding these limits is a Land Development Code violation. LDC section 1-7 allows a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, and each day a continuing violation lasts is a separate offense.

Tallahassee is more permissive than most cities when it comes to occupancy limits. That said, there are still limits.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Neither Tallahassee code uses the phrase short-term rental or vacation rental. Guest parking falls under the ordinary residential standard of two spaces per dwelling unit, plus the city’s general street parking rules.

Key details: Short-term rental parking rule: None in either code. Single-family requirement: Two spaces per unit, 1-3 bedrooms. Four-bedroom homes: Three spaces per unit. Bed and breakfast inn: Three to five spaces by rooms. Fire hydrant clearance: 15 feet.

The code prints no parking fine amounts. Section 20-71 says fines are set by resolution after a noticed public hearing, and a vehicle with at least two unpaid citations may be impounded by the city.

The Bottom Line

Tallahassee'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 Tallahassee is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Tallahassee'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.