St. Lucie County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- County STR occupancy cap
- None specific
- Port St. Lucie cap
- None specific
- Fort Pierce
- Bedroom-based occupancy formula
- Building/fire limits
- Always apply (NFPA 101)
- Transient threshold
- >3 rentals/yr under 30 days
Summary
St. Lucie County and Port St. Lucie set no special STR occupancy cap; Florida bars localities from regulating rental duration or frequency. Fort Pierce's local ordinance imposes an occupancy formula. State law defines a rental as transient when let more than three times yearly for under 30 days.
any unit, group of units, dwelling, building, or group of buildings within a single complex of buildings which is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less
Full Breakdown
There is no unincorporated St. Lucie County or Port St. Lucie occupancy cap aimed specifically at vacation rentals. Any occupancy limit must apply uniformly to all residential dwellings, not just STRs, because Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts rules targeting rental duration or frequency. Fort Pierce's Chapter 22, Article X sets a local maximum-occupancy formula tied to bedrooms for registered rentals. Standard building- and fire-code occupant limits (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code) still apply everywhere.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding occupancy under Fort Pierce's registration ordinance is a code-enforcement violation subject to fines; countywide, over-occupancy is enforced through building and fire codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an occupancy limit for a St. Lucie County Airbnb?
Can the county cap how many guests I host?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Lucie County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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