St. Lucie County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in St. Lucie County, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Issuing agency
- Florida DBPR (state)
- State license
- Required before renting
- Local STR permit (PSL)
- None
- Triggers at
- >3 rentals/yr under 30 days
- Also required
- County tourist-tax account
Summary
Any St. Lucie County vacation rental must hold a Florida DBPR vacation-rental license before advertising or renting. Local governments cannot ban rentals, but every operator needs the state license plus a St. Lucie County tourist-tax account.
Each public lodging establishment and public food service establishment shall obtain a license from the division.
Full Breakdown
Vacation rentals are 'transient public lodging establishments' under Florida law, so the state Division of Hotels and Restaurants (DBPR) licenses them, not the county. Florida Statute 509.241(1) makes the state license mandatory before operating. Port St. Lucie imposes no separate STR permit; Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village add their own local registration. Beyond the DBPR license, owners must open a Florida sales-tax account and a St. Lucie County Tourist Development Tax account with the Tax Collector. Renting more than three times per year for periods under 30 days triggers licensing.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed public lodging establishment is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law; DBPR may fine, suspend, or revoke the license and pursue daily penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a Port St. Lucie Airbnb?
Who issues the vacation-rental license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
How St. Lucie County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Lucie County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.