Clearwater Beach short-term rental rules
Clearwater’s quoted rental conditions apply to residential zoning districts and specify a rental period for those districts. Check your property address and current requirements with the City of Clearwater before you rent.
- Short-term rentals are not permitted in residential zoning districts.
- In these districts, rentals must be for 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less.
- Renting either the primary home or an accessory dwelling unit requires a residential rental business tax receipt.
What rental conditions apply in residential districts?
In those districts, rentals must be for 31 days or one calendar month, whichever is less. The quoted conditions do not establish what applies to other districts or every property, so confirm how your address is classified with the City of Clearwater planning department.
If either the primary home or an accessory dwelling unit is rented, a residential rental business tax receipt is required. For broader state context, see this Florida short-term rental rules guide.
What taxes may apply to a Clearwater rental?
Pinellas County’s quoted tourist development tax is 6% of the total rental amount. The county also identifies 7% sales and use tax collected by the Florida Department of Revenue, for a stated combined total of 13%. These are tax responsibilities, not permission to rent. Review the Pinellas County tax information and Florida sales tax guidance.
Airbnb says it collects and remits Florida state sales tax and Pinellas County tourist development tax for its hosts. Check whether your rental platform collects and pays the tourist development tax for your property; if it does not, the property owner is responsible for paying it. Pinellas County also says people who collect rent or other compensation in place of rent must register with its office and collect and turn over the tax. See tourist development tax details and Airbnb tax information.
Where should you check current requirements?
Before listing a property, ask the City of Clearwater about the address and current rental requirements. Check tax collection and registration responsibilities with the relevant county or state tax authority. For other local guides, visit rental rules by area.