Clearwater does not run a general residential rental registry due to state preemption, but rental operators must hold a city Business Tax Receipt under Chapter 29 and short-term rentals are restricted in residential zones to stays of at least 31 days.
Section 83.425 and Florida Statute 509.032(7) limit how cities may register or license residential rentals, so Clearwater does not maintain a citywide long-term rental registry. However, every rental business must obtain a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) under Chapter 29, Article II of the city code. Short-term rentals are heavily restricted: in residential zoning districts, owners may not lease property for periods of less than 31 days or one calendar month, effectively prohibiting daily and weekly rentals outside tourist and certain commercial zones. Short-term rentals where allowed must hold a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, register with the Department of Revenue for sales tax, and remit Pinellas Tourist Development Tax.
Operating without a BTR or running a short-term rental in a residential zone draws code enforcement penalties and possible state license action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater treats persistent dog barking and animal noise as a public nuisance under Chapter 8 (Animals) and the general noise ordinance, with enforcement co...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater prohibits amplified music, radios, and loudspeakers that create sound audible 100 feet or more from the source, applying to residences, vehicles, ...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater does not ban leaf blowers but requires that blowers, power fans, and internal combustion engines be equipped with adequate mufflers, with operatio...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater follows the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted in Chapter 17 of the city code, which permits small recreational fires but limits fuel size, requ...
Clearwater, FL
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Clearwater follows the Florida LP Gas Code (NFPA 58) adopted under Chapter 17, which limits residential cylinder size, sets minim...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater enforces Florida Chapter 791, restricting consumer fireworks to designated holidays such as July 4th, December 31st, and January 1st, with sparkle...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle rental registration.
See how Clearwater's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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