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

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

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

Key Facts

County STR permit
None (state DBPR license)
State preemption
FS 509.032(7)
Licensing agency
Florida DBPR
License statute
FS 509.242
County TDT sign-up
Clerk of Courts

Summary

Florida preempts vacation-rental licensing to the state, so you obtain a DBPR vacation-rental license, not a county permit. Santa Rosa County has no separate STR operating permit for unincorporated areas; it registers rentals only for tourist-tax purposes.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Rosa 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.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under FS 509.032(7) Florida counties cannot prohibit vacation rentals or regulate their duration or frequency. The state licenses vacation rentals through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under FS 509.242: a 'vacation rental' is a house, condo, or unit rented to transient guests. Santa Rosa County does not issue a stand-alone STR permit for unincorporated land, and it does not zone STRs out of residential districts. The only county sign-up is Tourist Development Tax registration with the Clerk of Courts. Inside Milton, Gulf Breeze, or Jay the city may add rules.

Violations & Fines

Operating a vacation rental without a DBPR license is a state DBPR enforcement matter (fines, cease-and-desist). County code enforcement handles noise, parking, and nuisance complaints separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Santa Rosa County issue a short-term rental permit?
No. Florida law reserves vacation-rental licensing to the state DBPR. The county only requires Tourist Development Tax registration for rentals of six months or less.
Can the county ban Airbnb in a neighborhood?
No. FS 509.032(7) bars counties from prohibiting vacation rentals or limiting how often they rent. Private HOA covenants, however, can restrict them.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Rosa County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Santa Rosa County rules

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

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