Panama City Beach sets a maximum overnight occupancy for each vacation rental, based on its bedrooms, and posts it on the required interior information sign. Bay County's Ordinance 23-18 treats overcrowding as a complaint the responsible party must address.
Florida preempts local governments from banning rentals but allows reasonable occupancy caps tied to safety. Panama City Beach's vacation-rental program sets a maximum overnight occupancy for each certified rental, driven by bedroom count and available parking, and requires that limit - along with the noise ordinance, beach-flag warnings, and sea-turtle lighting rules - to be posted inside the unit. Bay County's unincorporated Ordinance 23-18 requires similar posted information and names overcrowding among the issues the responsible party must resolve. High-rise condos and apartments are exempt from the county rule, so the county program mainly covers one-to-four-unit homes. Hosts should state true maximum occupancy in every listing.
Exceeding the posted occupancy is a program violation. Panama City Beach can fine $500, then $1,000 for repeats, and revoke the Vacation Rental Certificate. County complaints run through code enforcement and the responsible party.
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See how Bay County's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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