Florida Statute 509.032 preempts St. Petersburg from limiting the number of nights a property can be rented short-term or setting minimum stay requirements. Cities cannot regulate the duration or frequency of vacation rentals.
FL 509.032(7)(b) expressly prohibits any local law, ordinance, or regulation that restricts the duration or frequency of vacation rental use. St. Petersburg therefore cannot cap annual rental nights, impose minimum stays (such as 7-night minimums), or require owner occupancy like many out-of-state cities do. SB 280 (2023) reaffirmed this preemption. However, HOAs, condo associations, and deed-restricted communities may impose minimum stays and rental caps through private covenants, which are enforced as contract matters and are not preempted. Many St. Petersburg condominiums in downtown, Snell Isle, and beach communities restrict rentals to 30 days or longer. Always review governing documents before listing. Grandfathered pre-2011 STR properties have additional protection from any future attempts at local caps.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how St. Petersburg's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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