Clearwater, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 27, 2023
Clearwater Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The city of Clearwater enforces a short-term rental ordinance. The city prohibits property owners from leasing or renting their property for fewer than 31 days or a calendar month in a residential zoned property. Residential property owners who want to rent their homes can only advertise monthly rents, not daily or weekly rentals. Interval ownership, fractional ownership, or timesharing units are not permitted as residential uses on the residentially zoned property. Check out Code Compliance and Zoning / Parcel / Future Land Use Maps for more information.Business License Requirements
Property owners must apply for a Business Tax Receipt for all residential rentals outlined in CDC Section 3-2301. For residential rental tax receipt applications, a local representation is required. The local representative must have a working local telephone number and current local address, not a public or private post office box. The local representative should notify any changes to the city within 30 days for a physical location and telephone number within the following counties in Florida: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, or Sarasota.Prospective owners must obtain a registration or license for short-term or transient rental use by the state under Florida Statutes, Chapters 212 (Florida Tax and Revenue Act) and509 (Public Lodging Establishments) from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Building and Housing Standards
Every residential unit is required to adhere to all minimum requirements of the Clearwater Community Development Code: Part I Community Development Code and Part II Building and Development Regulations, which include Article 3. Development Standards, Chapter 49, the Standard Housing Code, and Section 28.82 (Address Numbers).Contact the ClearwaterPlanning and Development Department for more information.
Tourist and Local Taxes
Property owners must register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect, report and pay sales tax and surtax. More information about the State tourist taxes is available on the State's FAQ page.Other Rules
As a responsible host, you must comprehend and abide by other contracts or regulations that bind you. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines set up by tenant associations. Feel free to reach out to your landlord, housing authority, or community council to find out more. To get more information about other regulations, you can also visit Clearwater’s official website.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.6
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Competition
2.7 -
Real Estate Cost
5.3 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
3.7 -
Rental Rates
7.5
Clearwater, Florida Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 117,292
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- October to May
- County
- Pinellas
- Airports
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Want to learn more about Clearwater?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Clearwater rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Clearwater rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Clearwater.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Clearwater guests.
Interested in other Florida cities?
Check out the Florida Airbnb rules directory
What makes Clearwater a great place to invest?
- Clearwater Beach - This pristine, white-sand beach has consistently been voted one of the best beaches in the United States, and for good reason. With crystal clear waters and soft sand, this beach is the perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy a wide range of water sports and activities.
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium - This marine life rescue and rehabilitation center is home to Winter the Dolphin, the inspiration behind the movie "Dolphin Tale." Visitors can see Winter and other rescued marine animals up close, and learn about the center's conservation efforts and educational programs.
- Clearwater Jazz Holiday - This annual music festival has been a staple in the community for over 40 years, and attracts top jazz musicians from around the world. The festival takes place in October and features multiple stages, food vendors, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Ruth Eckerd Hall - This world-class performing arts center is the premier destination for concerts, Broadway shows, and other live entertainment in the Tampa Bay area. With a wide range of performances year-round, there's always something to see at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
- Caladesi Island State Park - Accessible only by boat, this pristine barrier island is a nature lover's paradise. Visitors can hike through the island's untouched wilderness, paddle through mangrove tunnels, and enjoy some of the best shelling in the state.
- Clearwater Threshers - For sports fans, Clearwater is home to the minor league baseball team, the Clearwater Threshers. Catch a game at Spectrum Field, a state-of-the-art stadium that hosts spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Moccasin Lake Nature Park - This 51-acre nature preserve features a boardwalk trail, live animal exhibits, and educational programs for visitors of all ages. With a variety of ecosystems to explore, including wetlands, uplands, and a lake, Moccasin Lake Nature Park is a must-visit for anyone interested in Florida's unique flora and fauna.
Clearwater Nearby Cities
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7 miles away
- Rating: 5.2
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7 miles away
- Rating: 4.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Clearwater?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Clearwater has decreased -2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $400, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$545,531
-2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$400
-3% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,826
4% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Clearwater
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Clearwater, Florida
Common terms for Clearwater short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Clearwater has a description approximately 1,815 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 5,353 listings in Clearwater, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, Clearwater Beach, Pool, Outdoor, Indian Rock, Beautiful, Vacation, Family, Rocks Beach, and Perfect.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Clearwater?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Clearwater involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Boating, the Marina, and Adventure Activities. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Beach
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Swimming
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Boating
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Marina
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Adventure Activities
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Kayaking
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Cycling
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Jet Skiing
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Snorkeling
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Sailing
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Paddle Boating
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Water Sports
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Clearwater, including Sand Key Park, Beach Walk, Pier 60 Park, Splash Harbour Water Park, and St. Petersburg - Clearwater Beaches. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Beach Walk
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Pier 60 Park
Included on 63% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Church of Scientology
Included on 63% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ruth Eckerd Hall
Included on 63% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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St. Petersburg - Clearwater Beaches
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Sand Key Park
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morton Plant Hospital
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Coachman Park
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina
Included on 57% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Splash Harbour Water Park
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bright House Field
Included on 57% of listings
What’s the weather like in Clearwater, Florida?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 81°, while the average low is about 68°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 45 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Clearwater are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
57° Low 71° High
Spring
March through May
67° Low 80° High
Summer
June through August
77° Low 89° High
Fall
September through November
71° Low 83° High
Cities Near Clearwater
Clearwater, Florida, is located in Pinellas County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
