Jacksonville, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

The City of Jacksonville defines a short-term rental as any property rented on more than three occasions per year for 30 days or fewer durations. Jacksonville allows short-term rentals in residential districts in single-family homes, two-family homes/duplexes, and townhouses, provided that they hold a short-term Vacation Rental Certificate.Short-term rentals are only permitted in two zones in Jacksonville: General Commercial and Historic Core. Rentals must be 30 days or longer to be permitted in other zones (residential, multifamily, etc.) Bed & Breakfast establishments can obtain a conditional use permit if they are owner-occupied residences on the Jacksonville Contributing Historic Landmark list, subject to review by the City's Planning Commission. 

Business License Requirements

Prior to operating a short-term vacation rental in either of the zones where vacation rentals may be permitted, property owners are required to apply for a land-use permit (Performance Review) with the City of Jacksonville Planning Department. The Performance Review requires review by the full Planning Commission. The Planning Commission evaluates the impact of the use on city facilities and neighborhoods. If approved, short-term rental permit holders must then obtain a business license with the City of Jacksonville and pay the transient lodging tax.

Building and Housing Standards

Once the property is registered with the state as a vacation rental, you will be held responsible for meeting all applicable health and safety rules. These range from ensuring hygiene and cleanliness, providing a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment to guests, and scheduling and passing regular inspections. You should consult Jacksonville, Florida – Code of Ordinances or contact the City's Building Department for more information. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

Jacksonville currently levies a 6% tourist development tax on transient accommodations in the City.Of the six percent (6%) bed tax collected, two percent (2%) is deposited into the Sports Complex Capital Maintenance Enterprise Fund as authorized by Ordinance 2009-817-E, two percent (2%) is dedicated to paying debt service on the bonds issued to construct Alltel Stadium, and the other two percent (2%) is dedicated to tourism development. 

Other Rules

Any property owner concerned about compliance with short-term rental rules may submit a formal complaint to the City of Jacksonville Planning Department for review. Forms are available at the Planning Department. Complaint information will be kept confidential per ORS 192.502 (4): "Information submitted to a public body in confidence and not otherwise required by law to be submitted, where such information should reasonably be considered confidential, the public body has obliged itself in good faith not to disclose the information, and when the public interest would suffer by the disclosure."