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 enforces Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requiring a 4-foot barrier, self-closing gates, or alternative safety features on every ne...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater follows Florida Building Code Residential Section R314 and Florida Statute 553.883 for smoke alarms, plus the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted...
Clearwater, FL
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 ...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater allows transient lodging (rentals under 31 days) only in Tourist District and Commercial zoning where the use is permitted, and requires a city Bu...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Code Chapter 22 establishes park use regulations, with most city parks closing at 11:00 p.m. or sunset and entry prohibited during posted closed h...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater enforces juvenile curfew rules adopted by reference from Florida Statutes Sec. 877.20 through 877.24, restricting minors in public places during o...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle rental registration.
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