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

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Per Bedroom
2 persons
Common Area
2 additional
Hard Cap
10 persons
Code Section
Sec. 138-3232
State Authority
Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)

Summary

Pinellas County caps short-term rental occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two in a common area, not exceeding ten people, under Sec. 138-3232.

City-specific rules exist: Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, and Largo have their own occupancy limits rules that differ from Pinellas County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

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. History. - ss. 1, 2, 9, ch. 6952, 1915; RGS 212, 213, 2130; s. 2, ch. 9264, 1923; CGL 245, 246, 3359; ss. 3, 4, ch. 16042, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 245, 246; s. 9, ch. 26945, 1951; s. 1, ch. 28129, 1953; ss. 1, 8, ch.

Source: Pinellas County Code of OrdinancesView official code

Full Breakdown

Sec. 138-3232 sets the maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental at two persons per legal bedroom plus two additional persons in a common area, with a hard ceiling of ten people regardless of property size. Children of any age count toward the limit. Occupancy must be posted inside the rental and reflected in every listing. Florida Statute 509.032(7) authorizes counties to set reasonable occupancy caps for STRs. Sheds, RVs, tents, and shipping containers may not be used to expand sleeping capacity.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the limit subjects operators to fines, daily violations, and accelerated Certificate of Use revocation under Sec. 138-3232. Hosting events over the cap also creates liability for resulting noise and parking violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do infants count toward the cap?
Yes. Sec. 138-3232 counts every occupant regardless of age. Operators advertising 'kids stay free' should still keep total occupancy at or below the posted maximum.
Can I host a wedding with daytime guests over the cap?
Daytime gatherings that exceed posted occupancy or operate as events are prohibited as commercial use in residential zones. Use of sheds, tents, or RVs for sleeping is also banned.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pinellas County

All Pinellas County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pinellas County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview

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Occupancy Limits in Cities Across Pinellas County