Rental Property Rules in Clearwater, FL (2026)
2 verified rental property rules for Clearwater, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Florida law flatly bars Clearwater and every other city or county in the state from adopting rent control. Fla. Stat. § 166.043(2) voids any ordinance, rule, or other measure that would cap or otherwise control rents, so landlords in Clearwater set rents without a municipal ceiling. The one carve-out lets the city use land-use tools, like inclusionary housing ordinances, to grow the affordable-housing supply instead.
Clearwater Rent Control Ban Under State Law
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 166.043(2)-(3)
(2) A municipality, county, or other entity of local government may not adopt or maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents. (3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, municipalities, counties, or other entity of local government may adopt and maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure ...
Rental Registration
Any landlord operating a single-family home, duplex, apartment, condo or banquet hall for lease in Clearwater must hold a city business tax receipt, whether the lease runs 30 days or longer or less. Appendix A section 091.000 sets the standard rental tier at $31.50 for up to five units plus $1.70 per additional unit.
Clearwater Rental Property Business Tax Requirement
Some RestrictionsClearwater City Code § 29.30; Appendix A §§ 090.000, 091.000
090.000 RENTAL PROPERTY 091.000 SINGLE FAMILY/DUPLEX: Rental Period, 30 days or more, 1—5 units on the same or contiguous parcels 31.50 Plus, each additional unit 1.70 ...Any person who maintains a permanent or temporary business location or branch office within the city to manage a profession, business or occupation shall first obtain a city business tax receipt for each location and pay th...
Looking for Pinellas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clearwater city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Pinellas County →