Registration Rules: Clearwater vs Tarpon Springs
How do registration rules rules compare between Clearwater, FL and Tarpon Springs, FL?
Clearwater and Tarpon Springs have similar restriction levels.
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 →Tarpon Springs, FL
Pinellas County
Tarpon Springs regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' in its Land Development Code (LDC) and as 'Seasonal/Short Term Rentals' in its SmartCode, depending on whether the property sits in a conventional zoning district or a SmartCode Transect zone. A Tourist Home is a single-family detached home rented for periods of six weeks or less; it cannot be located within 1,200 feet of a pre-existing approved tourist home. Operators must verify zoning eligibility through Planning and Zoning at (727) 942-5611 (planning@ctsfl.us), obtain a City of Tarpon Springs Business Tax Receipt, secure a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, and register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for tourist development tax.
View full Tarpon Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | Tarpon Springs |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | - |
| STR Term | - | 'Tourist Home' (LDC) / 'Seasonal Short Term Rental' (SmartCode) |
| Definition | - | Single-family detached, rented 6 weeks or less |
| Separation Rule | - | 1,200 ft from pre-existing approved tourist home |
| Permitted by Right | - | RR (LDC); T4c (SmartCode) |
| Conditional Use | - | RM, RO, WDI-B, WDI; T4a/b/d, T5a-d, SDa, SDd |
| Business Tax Receipt | - | Required through City Building Department |
| DBPR License | - | Required under F.S. 509.241 |
| Planning & Zoning | - | (727) 942-5611; planning@ctsfl.us |
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.
Tarpon Springs FAQ
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