Tampa does not require the host to be present during a short-term rental stay because Florida Statute §509.032 partially preempts local STR operational rules, leaving registration as Tampa's main lever under Code Ch. 27 §27-114.
Unlike many cities, Tampa cannot impose a host-presence or 'hosted-only' requirement on whole-home STRs. Florida Statute §509.032(7) preempts the regulation of duration and frequency of vacation rentals, and case law has limited cities to non-discriminatory rules that also apply to other dwellings. Tampa instead relies on registration (Ch. 27 §27-114), state DBPR licensing, tax collection, and generally applicable noise, parking, and occupancy codes. Owners may operate non-owner-occupied rentals provided they comply with Florida Building Code, fire safety, and Hillsborough County tourist tax remittance.
Operating without a Tampa STR registration or DBPR vacation rental license can trigger code enforcement citations and daily fines, even though host-presence itself is not mandated.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Tampa, FL
Tampa City Code Chapter 14, Article III, Sec. 14-151 caps residential noise at 55 dBA between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM and 60 dBA daytime, measured at the receiv...
Tampa, FL
Tampa has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Tampa Code Chapter 19 (Nuisances) addresses general ...
Tampa, FL
Tampa has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, anchoring, lighting, and blower-motor noise are governed by HOA and con...
Tampa, FL
Tampa has no municipal ordinance regulating holiday lighting timing, brightness, or animation. Holiday displays are governed almost entirely by HOA and condo...
Tampa, FL
Tampa requires building permits for built-in outdoor kitchens with gas piping, plumbing, electrical wiring, or roofed structures. Standalone freestanding gri...
Tampa, FL
Tampa has no specific city ordinance restricting residential smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Severe persistent smoke could theoretically be addr...
See how Tampa's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.