Monroe County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Monroe County, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Annual special vacation rental permit per unit
- Transferability
- Nontransferable; new owner must reapply
- Neighbor notice
- 300-ft mailed notice, 30 days before approval
- Appeal window
- 30 days to Planning Commission (§102-185)
- Max fine
- Up to $500/day/unit/violation (§134-1(k)(6))
Summary
Renting a Florida Keys dwelling unit for under 28 days requires an annual special vacation rental permit under Land Development Code Section 134-1(a), issued by the Planning Director for a fee set by the Board of County Commissioners. The permit is nontransferable, requires 300-foot neighbor notice, and can be appealed to the Planning Commission within 30 days.
(a)Special vacation rental permit. An owner or agent is required to obtain an annual special vacation rental permit for each dwelling unit prior to renting any dwelling unit as a vacation rental, as defined in section 101-1, except as provided for under subsection (b) of this section. A special vacation rental permit is nontransferable between owners. A change of ownership of the vacation rental unit shall require the new owner or his agent to obtain a new vacation rental permit for the residential dwelling unit.
Full Breakdown
Anyone who wants to rent a dwelling unit in the unincorporated Florida Keys for less than 28 days must first get an annual special vacation rental permit for that specific unit, required under Land Development Code Section 134-1(a) before the owner or agent may rent it as a vacation rental. The permit is nontransferable: selling the property forces the new owner to apply for a fresh permit rather than inherit the seller's. Two narrow exemptions exist under Section 134-1(b): a unit inside a gated community whose homeowners association already regulates vacation rentals, or a unit in a multifamily building with 24-hour on-site management approved by the planning director.
The Planning Director issues the permit after a complete application and a nonrefundable fee set by Board of County Commissioners resolution, and the applicant must notify every property owner within 300 feet by certified mail at least 30 days before the county can approve it. A denial or approval can be appealed to the Planning Commission within 30 days under Section 102-185. S. Chapters 212 and 509 required at renewal. The Planning Commission can revoke a permit, and the code enforcement special magistrate or a court can levy fines, after a hearing finds a violation of the permit, its conditions, or a material misrepresentation on the application.
Renting, leasing or advertising a unit as a vacation rental without this permit is unlawful in any district where vacation rental use is not otherwise exempt.
Violations & Fines
Renting, leasing or advertising a dwelling unit as a vacation rental without a special vacation rental permit is unlawful under Section 134-1(k)(2) in any district that doesn't exempt it. A violation is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 per day, per unit, per violation, or $250 for a first code enforcement citation and $500 for each later one, and the Planning Commission can revoke the permit after a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rent my Keys home short-term?
Can I transfer my vacation rental permit when I sell the property?
How long does a special vacation rental permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
How Monroe County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview
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