Tarpon Springs does not run a general rental-registration program for long-term rentals, but short-term rentals (six weeks or less) are regulated as Tourist Homes or Seasonal/Short Term Rentals under the Land Development Code and SmartCode, with zoning approval required.
Long-term residential leases over six weeks are not subject to a citywide registration ordinance and are governed by Florida Statute Chapter 83. For short-term rentals (six weeks or less), Tarpon Springs applies its Land Development Code (Tourist Homes) or SmartCode (Seasonal/Short Term Rentals) depending on the property's zoning. Operators must verify with Planning and Zoning that the address allows the use, obtain any required Local Business Tax Receipt, hold a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation vacation rental license under FS 509.241, and remit Pinellas County Tourist Development Tax plus state sales tax. Florida Statute 509.032(7) preempts cities from prohibiting short-term rentals outright but allows zoning-based location limits adopted before June 1, 2011.
Operating in a non-permitted zone or without state licensure can trigger code enforcement fines through the special magistrate, plus DBPR penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and tax assessments.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle rental registration.
See how Tarpon Springs's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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