Tampa cannot limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence because Florida §509.032 preempts duration and frequency restrictions, so investor-owned whole-home STRs remain legal subject to registration and zoning under Code Ch. 27 §27-114.
A primary-residence-only mandate would effectively cap rental frequency and is therefore preempted by Florida Statute §509.032(7), which restricts cities from regulating vacation rentals more strictly than other dwellings. Tampa instead enforces zoning district rules, parking minimums, and noise standards that apply to all residences. Whole-home STRs operated by non-resident owners are permitted citywide where the underlying zoning allows residential use, provided the operator registers with Tampa, holds a DBPR vacation rental license, and remits state sales tax plus Hillsborough County tourist development tax.
Code enforcement focuses on missing registrations, unlicensed operations, and nuisance complaints rather than residency status; fines accrue daily until the property is brought into compliance.
Tampa, FL
Tampa STR operators must hold a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license, register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Hillsborough County Tax Collector f...
Tampa, FL
Tampa does not require the host to be present during a short-term rental stay because Florida Statute §509.032 partially preempts local STR operational rules...
See how Tampa's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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