Alachua County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Under F.S. 509.032(7)(b), local governments may not pass any law, ordinance, or regulation that prohibits vacation rentals or regulates their duration or frequency, and any local ordinance enacted on or after June 1, 2011 cannot be more restrictive than this state preemption (Alachua County has no grandfathered pre-2011 STR ordinance). The Alachua County Unified Land Development Code does not impose a separate occupancy cap on vacation rentals in unincorporated areas. Maximum occupancy is therefore set by: (1) the Florida Building Code Existing Building section on existing dwelling capacity; (2) the Florida Fire Prevention Code (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code) for one- and two-family dwellings and lodging/rooming houses; and (3) the maximum occupancy listed on the DBPR vacation rental license issued under F.S. 509.241, which is based on the number of bedrooms and approved sleeping areas. Generally applicable property maintenance overcrowding standards (Florida Building Code Property Maintenance Section 404) apply to all dwellings regardless of rental status. Septic systems on rural parcels carry a Florida Department of Health design occupancy that effectively caps overnight guests. For exact occupancy figures tied to a specific property, confirm with Alachua County Growth Management at 352-374-5249.