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West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, FL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

State Law
FL §509.032 preemption
City Permit
Annual registration required
State License
FL DBPR vacation rental
Responsible Party
24/7 local contact
Inspection
Annual life-safety required

Summary

West Palm Beach requires registration of all short-term rentals under City Code Ch 90. FL §509.032 preempts outright bans, but the city requires annual registration, life-safety inspection, and designation of a 24-hour responsible party. FL DBPR vacation rental license also required.

(7) PREEMPTION AUTHORITY. (a) The regulation of public lodging establishments and public food service establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitation standards, inspections, training and testing of personnel, and matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments, is preempted to the state. This paragraph does not preempt the authority of a local government or local enforcement district to conduct inspections of public lodging and public food service establishments for compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, pursuant to ss. 553.80 and 633.206. (b) 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. (2)(a) The division has jurisdiction and is responsible for all inspections required by this chapter. The division is responsible for quality assurance. The division shall inspect each licensed public lodging establishment at least biannually, except for transient and nontransient apartments, which shall be inspected at least annually.

Source: FL Statute 509.032 - Vacation RentalsView official code

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

Full Breakdown

All vacation rentals (rentals of less than 30 days, more than 3 times/year) must obtain a city STR registration plus a state DBPR vacation rental license. Owners must designate a local responsible party available 24/7 to respond to complaints within one hour. Properties must pass annual life-safety inspection covering smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, egress, and pool barriers. Posted information inside the unit must include emergency contacts, occupancy limits, parking rules, and trash schedules. WPB cannot ban STRs due to FL §509.032 state preemption (2011 grandfather provision applies only to pre-2011 ordinances).

Violations & Fines

Operating without registration: $500 first offense, $1,000 second offense, plus daily fines per WPB Code Enforcement. Operating without DBPR license: state penalties up to $1,000 per FL §509.241.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I operate an Airbnb in West Palm Beach without registering?
No. The city requires annual STR registration plus a state DBPR vacation rental license, even though FL law preempts outright bans.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in West Palm Beach

All West Palm Beach rules

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

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