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

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

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

Key Facts

Local ban
Preempted; not allowed
County registration
Ord. 23-18, unincorporated areas
PCB certificate
Ord. 1632, $50 application
State license
DBPR vacation rental license
Governing law
Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b)

Summary

Florida preempts local vacation-rental bans under Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b), so Bay County can't prohibit STRs or cap their length. Unincorporated Bay County (Ord. 23-18) and Panama City Beach instead require registration, a DBPR license, and safety inspections.

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

A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of rental of vacation rentals. This paragraph does not apply to any local law, ordinance, or regulation adopted on or before June 1, 2011.

Source: Florida StatutesView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Florida law (Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b)) bars local governments from banning vacation rentals or regulating their duration or frequency, and the 2024 preemption-expansion bill SB 280 was vetoed, leaving the 2011 rule in place. Bay County can still register and inspect. Unincorporated Bay County's Ordinance 23-18 (adopted August 1, 2023) requires vacation-rental registration, a posted responsible-party contact, and annual fire/life-safety inspections that began January 2024 - though high-rise condos and apartments are exempt, covering only one-to-four-unit homes. Inside Panama City Beach, Ordinance 1632 requires a Vacation Rental Certificate ($50 application), a DBPR license, Bay County tourist-tax registration, a business tax receipt, and a fire inspection.

Violations & Fines

Operating without registration, a DBPR license, or a required certificate exposes hosts to code enforcement and state DBPR action. Panama City Beach fines $500, then $1,000, and can revoke the Vacation Rental Certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bay County ban my Airbnb?
No. Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b) bars the county from prohibiting vacation rentals or regulating their duration or frequency. It can require registration, inspection, and tourist-tax collection, but not a ban.
What do I need to run an STR in Panama City Beach?
A city Vacation Rental Certificate (Ord. 1632, $50), a Florida DBPR license, Bay County tourist-tax registration, a local business tax receipt, and a passed annual fire inspection.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bay County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Bay County rules

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

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