Clearwater allows transient lodging (rentals under 31 days) only in Tourist District and Commercial zoning where the use is permitted, and requires a city Business Tax Receipt for any property rented for 30 days or less. Operators must also hold a Florida DBPR vacation rental license and register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for the 6% Tourist Development Tax. Pinellas County's STR Certificate of Use program does not apply inside city limits.
Clearwater predates Florida's 2011 vacation-rental preemption, so its zoning-based prohibition on short stays in residential districts is grandfathered under F.S. 509.032(7)(b). To operate legally an owner must (1) verify the parcel sits in a Tourist or Commercial zoning district where transient accommodation use is permitted by the Community Development Code (most residential districts impose a 31-day minimum stay), (2) hold a current Florida DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants vacation rental license under F.S. 509.241, (3) register with the Florida Department of Revenue for the 6% state sales tax plus 1% Pinellas discretionary surtax, (4) open a Tourist Development Tax account with the Pinellas County Tax Collector and remit the 6% county TDT monthly, and (5) obtain a City of Clearwater Business Tax Receipt for any rental of 30 days or less. The BTR application requires a fire safety inspection, proof of liability insurance, zoning verification, and a local representative with a Florida address and phone number reachable 24/7. Pinellas County's Certificate of Use program (effective 2025) covers only unincorporated Pinellas; properties inside Clearwater are governed solely by the city's BTR and zoning regime.
Operating an STR without a BTR or in a non-permitted residential zone is a Code Compliance violation. Reported penalties begin at $250 per day for a first violation and rise to $500 per day for repeat offenses, with accumulated fines exceeding $8,500 in persistent cases. Advertising daily or weekly rentals in residential zones is independently citable.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater enforces Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requiring a 4-foot barrier, self-closing gates, or alternative safety features on every ne...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater follows Florida Building Code Residential Section R314 and Florida Statute 553.883 for smoke alarms, plus the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Code Chapter 22 establishes park use regulations, with most city parks closing at 11:00 p.m. or sunset and entry prohibited during posted closed h...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater enforces juvenile curfew rules adopted by reference from Florida Statutes Sec. 877.20 through 877.24, restricting minors in public places during o...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater offers curbside single-stream recycling under Chapter 32 Article VII, with city-issued blue carts collected on a defined day and recovered materia...
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Code Section 32.282 covers bulk waste and yard debris collection, with weekly residential service and contractor responsibility for debris generat...
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