Registration Rules: Clearwater vs St. Petersburg
How do registration rules rules compare between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
St. Petersburg has fewer restrictions than Clearwater.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater allows transient lodging (rentals under 31 days) only in Tourist District and Commercial zoning where the use is permitted, and requires a city Business Tax Receipt for any property rented for 30 days or less. Operators must also hold a Florida DBPR vacation rental license and register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for the 6% Tourist Development Tax. Pinellas County's STR Certificate of Use program does not apply inside city limits.
View full Clearwater rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
SB 280 (2023) allows St. Petersburg to require STR registration with basic owner, operator, and emergency contact information. Registration renewals are annual. Grandfathered pre-2011 properties receive the same process but full operational protection.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Zoning | Tourist District and Commercial only | - |
| Residential Minimum Stay | 31 days or one calendar month | - |
| City BTR | Required for rentals 30 days or less | - |
| State License | DBPR vacation rental (F.S. 509.241) | - |
| Pinellas TDT | 6% bed tax remitted monthly | - |
| State Sales Tax | 6% state plus 1% Pinellas surtax | - |
| Local Rep | Florida address and phone required | - |
| State Preemption | F.S. 509.032(7)(b) (pre-2011 grandfather) | - |
| Authority | - | SB 280 (2023) |
| Renewal | - | Annual |
| Responsible Party | - | 1-hour response |
| Required Docs | - | DBPR, BTR, DOR, insurance |
| Posting | - | Inside the unit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
What do I need before listing my Clearwater property as a short-term rental?
Confirm the parcel is in a Tourist District or Commercial zone that permits transient lodging, obtain a Florida DBPR vacation rental license under F.S. 509.241, register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax, open a Tourist Development Tax account with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for the 6% bed tax, and apply for a City of Clearwater Business Tax Receipt. A fire safety inspection and proof of liability insurance are required before the BTR is issued.
Does Pinellas County's new Certificate of Use program apply to my Clearwater rental?
No. Pinellas County's STR Certificate of Use program, with $450 annual fees and inspections, applies only to unincorporated Pinellas County. If your property is inside the City of Clearwater, you follow the city's Business Tax Receipt process and Community Development Code zoning rules instead, and the county program does not require a separate certificate.
Can I rent my Clearwater home for a weekend if it is in a residential zone?
No. Clearwater requires a 31-day or one-calendar-month minimum stay in residential zoning districts, and you cannot advertise daily or weekly rentals there. Only properties in the Tourist District or Commercial zones, with a current Business Tax Receipt and DBPR license, may legally accept stays shorter than 31 days.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Do I need a responsible party living nearby?
Yes. A local contact must be able to respond within one hour, day or night.
Is STR registration renewed every year?
Yes. Annual renewal is required with fee and document updates.
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