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Marion County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Marion County, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Code Section
Fla. Stat. s. 509.241(1)
Vacation Rental Definition
Fla. Stat. s. 509.242(1)(c)
Transient Threshold
More than 3 rentals/year under 30 days
County STR Permit
None (state-licensed)

Summary

Unincorporated Marion County has no separate short-term-rental permit, but Florida law requires every vacation rental to obtain a state license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants (DBPR).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Marion County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Each public lodging establishment and public food service establishment shall obtain a license from the division.

Full Breakdown

Marion County does not impose a county-level short-term-rental permit on unincorporated properties; rentals are governed by Florida's statewide vacation-rental framework, which is preempted to the state under section 509.032(7), Florida Statutes. Any dwelling rented to guests more than three times per calendar year for periods of less than 30 days qualifies as a 'transient public lodging establishment' (s. 509.013(4)(a)1.) and, when it is a single-family through four-family house or condominium/cooperative unit, a 'vacation rental' (s. 509.242(1)(c)). Section 509.241(1) requires each such establishment to obtain a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants before operating. Operators must also collect Marion County tourist development tax and state sales tax.

Violations & Fines

Operating an unlicensed public lodging establishment is a violation enforced by the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants and may result in fines and an order to cease operations under Chapter 509.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Marion County require a short-term-rental permit?
Unincorporated Marion County does not have a separate STR permit. Operators must obtain a state vacation-rental license from the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants (DBPR) under s. 509.241(1).
When does a rental become a regulated vacation rental?
Under s. 509.013(4)(a)1., a dwelling is a transient public lodging establishment once it is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Marion County

All Marion County rules

How Marion County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview

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