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Is Airbnb legal in St. Petersburg, Florida?

Whole-home rentals under 30 days banned in residential zones. St. Petersburg runs on a grandfathered pre-2011 ordinance that bars rentals under 30 days in most residential zoning districts. A non-owner-occupant investor buying a typical home cannot Airbnb it. Short-term rentals are only possible in the limited commercial or tourist districts where transient use is a permitted use.

Showing the researched rules for St. Petersburg, FL below. Type your St. Petersburg address to jump to the verdict.

Not allowed

Whole-home rentals under 30 days banned in residential zones

St. Petersburg runs on a grandfathered pre-2011 ordinance that bars rentals under 30 days in most residential zoning districts. A non-owner-occupant investor buying a typical home cannot Airbnb it. Short-term rentals are only possible in the limited commercial or tourist districts where transient use is a permitted use.

Permit and costs

Permit
Business tax receipt where transient use is allowed
Issued by
City of St. Petersburg
Cost
Not available to new whole-home investors in residential zones
Renewal
N/A

Key limits

Minimum stay
30 days in most residential zones
Zoning
Sub-30-day rentals generally prohibited outside transient-allowed districts
Grandfathered rule
Pre-2011 ordinance exempt from state preemption, so it stands
State license
Florida DBPR vacation rental license still required where allowed

Taxes

State sales tax
6%
County tourist tax
Set by Pinellas County, check the current rate

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Check the zoning district
    Confirm transient lodging is a permitted use at the address before spending anything.
  2. 2
    Target tourist zones
    If buying, focus on districts where the city permits transient accommodation, not residential neighborhoods.
  3. 3
    Get the licenses
    Where allowed, obtain the state DBPR license and the city business tax receipt.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Condo associations in beach-adjacent buildings often set their own rental minimums above the city rule.
Do not confuse the cities
St. Pete Beach is a separate city with far more permissive STR rules than St. Petersburg proper.

Sources

BNBCalc St. Petersburg STR guide 2026 · Pinellas STR zoning scan (PDF)

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.