Short-term rental permit rules in Clearwater, FL — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Clearwater prohibits rentals under 31 days in residential districts and requires a Business Tax Receipt, state DBPR license, and a designated local representative for any qualifying transient rental.
Under Clearwater Community Development Code Sections 1-104.B and 3-919, property owners in residential zoning districts may not lease their property for periods shorter than 31 days or one calendar month. Where short-term use is permitted (such as in tourist or commercial districts), owners must obtain a city Business Tax Receipt under CDC Section 3-2301, register the property with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as a transient public lodging establishment under Chapter 509, and remit applicable taxes. Pinellas County also imposes a separate Certificate of Use program with mandatory inspections. Operators must designate a local responsible party reachable by a Florida-area telephone number to address complaints.
Operating an unlicensed short-term rental in a residential district can trigger code enforcement citations, daily accruing fines, and liens against the property.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle permit requirements.
See how Clearwater's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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