Palm Beach County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Home Sharing
- host must occupy property
- Vacation Rental
- host does not reside there
- Registration
- BTR + TDT account required
- Renewal deadline
- annually by September 30
- Revocation penalty
- 1-year wait to reapply
Summary
Palm Beach County splits short-term rentals into Home Sharing, where the host lives on-site during the stay, and Vacation Rentals, where the host is absent: both require separate registration with the Tax Collector under Code § 17-117.
Home Sharing. The sharing of one's Residential Unit as a Short Term Rental while the Host still occupies the property. ... Vacation Rental. A Residential Unit that is offered as a Short Term Rental and where the Host does not reside on the property during the rental. ... Home Sharing may only be authorized and take place in the residence approved for Short Term Rental use and occupied by the Host.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Palm Beach County's Code of Ordinances § 17-117 defines two categories of short-term rental based on host presence: Home Sharing, where the host still occupies the property during the stay, and Vacation Rental, where the host does not reside on-site. Both require a Business Tax Receipt and Tourist Development Tax account before any advertising begins, and Home Sharing 'may only be authorized and take place in the residence approved for Short Term Rental use and occupied by the Host.' Registration must be renewed annually by September 30. This applies only outside the county's 39 municipalities, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Jupiter, which regulate short-term rentals under their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Home Sharing or Vacation Rental rules can mean revocation of your BTR and TDT registration by the Tax Collector, and a mandatory one-year wait before reapplying for either use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Home Sharing and a Vacation Rental in Palm Beach County?
Do I need a permit to rent out a room while I'm home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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