Short-Term Rentals in Clearwater, FL (2026)
3 verified short-term rentals rules for Clearwater, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Before renting any home, condo or apartment in Clearwater for less than 30 days, the owner must obtain a city business tax receipt under section 29.30 of the Code. Short-term rentals classified in Appendix A section 091.010 carry an extra condition the standard, 30-day-or-longer rental does not: Planning Department approval under Note C.
Clearwater Short-Term Rental Business Tax Receipt Requirement
Significant RestrictionsClearwater City Code §§ 29.30, 29.31; Appendix A § 091.010 (Note C)
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 the appropriate fee as prescribed in Appendix A of this Code. ...(a)The application for a business tax receipt has definitely stated the exact location at which the business sh...
Taxes & Fees
Clearwater requires a city business tax receipt for any single-family home, duplex, condo, townhouse, apartment, hotel room or bed-and-breakfast rented for less than 30 days. Appendix A section 091.010 sets the base fee at $31.50 for one to five units on the same parcel, plus $1.70 per additional unit, renewable every September 30.
Clearwater Short-Term Rental Business Tax and Fees
Some RestrictionsClearwater City Code, Appendix A § 091.010
091.010 SINGLE FAMILY/DUPLEX: Rental Period, less than 30 days, (See notes C and D) 1—5 units on the same or contiguous parcels 31.50 Plus, each additional unit 1.70 ...DELINQUENT FEE shall be ten percent for the month of October, plus an additional five percent for each subsequent month of delinquency, not to exceed 25 percent of the business tax, on business tax receipt not renewed by Septemb...
Night Caps
Clearwater does not impose an annual night cap, because Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts cities adopted after June 1, 2011 from limiting the frequency or duration of vacation rentals. Instead, the city enforces a zoning-based minimum-stay floor: rentals of less than 31 days, or one calendar month, are prohibited in residential zoning districts. Tourist District and Commercial parcels with a Business Tax Receipt may rent for any duration with no per-year night limit.
Short-Term Rental Night Caps (Clearwater, FL)
Some RestrictionsF.S. 509.032(7)
(7)  PREEMPTION AUTHORITY. — (a)  The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitation standards, inspections, training and testing of personnel, and matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments, is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not ...
Looking for Pinellas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clearwater city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Pinellas County →