Jacksonville, FL Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- City rule
- Jax Ord. 656.401(d)
- State preemption
- FL §509.032
- Allowed zones
- CCG, CRO, multi-family
- Required license
- DBPR + city CU
- Tourist tax
- 6% Duval TDT
Summary
Jacksonville Ord. 656.401(d) limits short-term rentals to specific zoning districts and requires a Certificate of Use, but cannot require host presence due to FL §509.032 preemption of operational rules. Operators must also obtain DBPR vacation rental license and remit Duval Tourist Development Tax.
(7)  PREEMPTION AUTHORITY. — (a)  The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitation standards, inspections, training and testing of personnel, and matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments, is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not preempt the authority of a local government or local enforcement district to conduct inspections of public lodging and public food service establishments for compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, pursuant to ss. 553.80 and 633.206 . (b)  A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011. (c)  Paragraph (b) does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation exclusively relating to property valuation as a criterion for vacation rental if the local law, ordinance, or regulation is required to be approved by the state land planning agency pursuant to an area of critical state concern designation.
Full Breakdown
Florida Statute §509.032 partially preempts local STR regulation: cities cannot ban STRs outright or impose stricter operational rules than apply to similar non-rental properties unless the ordinance predates 2011. Jacksonville's Ord. Code §656.401(d) (post-2011) therefore relies on zoning, where STRs are permitted in tourist commercial zones, certain mixed-use districts, and most multi-family buildings, but barred from many low-density single-family neighborhoods. Host-presence requirements are not enforceable. Operators must obtain a city Certificate of Use, register a state DBPR vacation-rental license, file Duval Tourist Development Tax, pay Florida sales tax, and provide a 24/7 local responsible-party contact. Jacksonville Beach has separate stricter rules.
Violations & Fines
Operating an STR in a barred zoning district or without Certificate of Use can bring city fines up to $500 per day, code-enforcement liens, utility action, and DBPR license revocation; repeat violators face injunctions and unpaid TDT assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Jacksonville require I sleep on-site during my Airbnb?
Is my downtown Jacksonville condo eligible to STR?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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