Tarpon Springs regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' in its Land Development Code (LDC) and as 'Seasonal/Short Term Rentals' in its SmartCode, depending on whether the property sits in a conventional zoning district or a SmartCode Transect zone. A Tourist Home is a single-family detached home rented for periods of six weeks or less; it cannot be located within 1,200 feet of a pre-existing approved tourist home. Operators must verify zoning eligibility through Planning and Zoning at (727) 942-5611 (planning@ctsfl.us), obtain a City of Tarpon Springs Business Tax Receipt, secure a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, and register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for tourist development tax.
Tarpon Springs uses two parallel codes for short-term rentals based on location. (1) Land Development Code (LDC) governs conventional zoning districts and refers to STRs as 'Tourist Homes,' permitted by right in the Resort Residential (RR) district and as conditional uses in the RM, RO, WDI-B, and WDI districts. Tourist Homes must be single-family detached dwellings rented for periods of six weeks or less, and must be at least 1,200 feet from any pre-existing approved tourist home (a separation rule that survives state preemption because it functions as a zoning standard rather than a duration/frequency cap). (2) SmartCode applies to properties in the Special Area Plan transect zones; STRs are termed 'Seasonal/Short Term Rentals' and are permitted by right in T4c, and as conditional uses in T4a, T4b, T4d, T5a-d, SDa, and SDd. Required steps in order: (a) confirm zoning eligibility using the city's online zoning map and email planning@ctsfl.us or call (727) 942-5611 to verify the address; (b) for conditional-use districts, apply for and obtain Conditional Use approval through the Board of Adjustment with public hearing; (c) demonstrate compliance with operational standards including occupancy of no more than two persons per bedroom plus two in a common area (10 maximum), one off-street parking space per bedroom, quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM, and a designated responsible party available to respond; (d) apply for a City of Tarpon Springs Business Tax Receipt through the Building Department; (e) obtain a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental Dwelling license under F.S. 509.241; (f) register with the Pinellas County Tax Collector for the 6% Tourist Development Tax and with the Florida Department of Revenue for the 7% state sales/transient rental tax (combined approximately 13%). F.S. 509.032(7)(b) preempts Tarpon Springs from prohibiting STRs or regulating duration/frequency in any ordinance enacted on or after June 1, 2011, but the city retains zoning authority over location, separation, and operational standards. Confirm with Planning and Zoning at (727) 942-5611.
Operating a Tourist Home or Seasonal/Short Term Rental in Tarpon Springs without confirming zoning eligibility, securing any required Conditional Use approval, observing the 1,200-foot separation rule, and obtaining a Business Tax Receipt is a Land Development Code violation. The City Code Enforcement Division may issue a Notice of Violation and refer uncorrected cases to the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate under F.S. Chapter 162, with civil penalties reportedly up to $300 per violation per day; F.S. Chapter 162 authorizes up to $250/day for first violations and $500/day for repeats. Operating without a DBPR vacation rental license under F.S. 509.241 is a separate state administrative offense, and failure to remit Pinellas Tourist Development Tax or state sales tax is enforceable by the County Tax Collector and Florida Department of Revenue.
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