Registration Rules: St. Petersburg vs Tarpon Springs
How do registration rules rules compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Tarpon Springs, FL?
St. Petersburg has fewer restrictions than Tarpon Springs.
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 →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 | St. Petersburg | Tarpon Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | SB 280 (2023) | - |
| Renewal | Annual | - |
| Responsible Party | 1-hour response | - |
| Required Docs | DBPR, BTR, DOR, insurance | - |
| Posting | Inside the unit | - |
| 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.
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.
Tarpon Springs FAQ
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