Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Santa Rosa Beach 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 Walton County Land Development Code currently allows short-term vacation rentals in any zoning district where single-family residential uses are permitted. Such units are currently not designated as single-family homes within Walton County. The Walton County Board of County Commissioners is in the process of taking public input and collecting data to support its objective of reducing the negative impacts generated by the rapid increase in the practice of short-term rental of single-family residences within existing residential neighborhoods. The Board has tasked the County Planning Department with drafting proposals to regulate these structures and their landlord/owners to address public health, safety, and welfare issues created within the neighborhoods around them. See the Walton County Short-Term Rental Issues for more information.Business License Requirements
Walton County does not have a business licensing program.Building and Housing Standards
Walton County has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Visit Walton Country Code of Ordinance for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit Walton County for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.6
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Competition
3.7 -
Real Estate Cost
3.3 -
STR Regulations
10.0 -
Seasonality
2.6 -
Rental Rates
8.5
Santa Rosa Beach, 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
- 14,028
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June through August
- County
- Walton
- Airports
- Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
- Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
Want to learn more about Santa Rosa Beach?
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 Santa Rosa Beach rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Santa Rosa Beach rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Santa Rosa Beach.
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 Santa Rosa Beach guests.
Interested in other Florida cities?
Check out the Florida Airbnb rules directory
What makes Santa Rosa Beach a great place to invest?
- Gulf of Mexico Beaches - Santa Rosa Beach boasts 26 miles of pristine beaches, featuring clear waters and powdery white sand. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of water activities including swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and fishing.
- Grayton Beach State Park - Named the best beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2020, this state park features towering sand dunes, crystal-clear waters, and nature trails. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping in one of the most beautiful settings in the state.
- Seaside - This charming coastal town is known for its pastel-colored homes, quaint shops, and local restaurants. Visitors can explore the town on foot or bike, and enjoy outdoor concerts and events on the town square.
- Point Washington State Forest - This 15,000-acre forest is home to a variety of hiking and biking trails, as well as a rare coastal dune lake. Visitors can see wildlife, explore pine forests and wetlands, and even go horseback riding.
- Eden Gardens State Park - This historic park features a beautifully preserved antebellum mansion, manicured gardens, and nature trails. Visitors can tour the mansion, picnic in the park, or relax in the tranquil setting of the gardens.
- Scenic Highway 30A - This scenic route runs along the coast and is dotted with charming beach towns, state parks, and nature preserves. Visitors can explore the area on foot, bike, or car, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Choctawhatchee Bay - This large bay is a haven for fishing, boating, and water sports. Visitors can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or boats, and explore the calm waters of the bay. The bay also features local seafood restaurants and lively waterfront bars.
Santa Rosa Beach Nearby Cities
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16 miles away
- Rating: 4.5
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21 miles away
- Rating: 4.4
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Santa Rosa Beach?
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 Santa Rosa Beach has increased 13% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $547, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$933,221
13% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$547
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,271
-1% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Common terms for Santa Rosa Beach 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 Santa Rosa Beach has a description approximately 2,768 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 4,407 listings in Santa Rosa Beach, 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, Golf cart, Pool, 30A, Balcony, Gulf, Perfect, Resort, Family, and Beautiful.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Santa Rosa Beach?
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 Santa Rosa Beach involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Outlet Shopping, Cycling, and Boating. 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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Outlet Shopping
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Cycling
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Boating
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Snorkeling
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Jet Skiing
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Sailing
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Kayaking
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Adventure Activities
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Wind Surfing
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Scuba Diving
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Santa Rosa Beach, including Grayton Beach State Park, Seaside Beach, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Alys Beach, and Destin Commons. 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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Regional Landmark
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Grayton Beach State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Santa Rosa Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Blue Mountain Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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30A Bike Trail
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Seaside Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Alys Beach
Included on 77% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Included on 66% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Sandestin Golf Resort - Raven, Burnt Pine, Baytowne, The Links
Included on 65% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Grand Boulevard Town Center
Included on 64% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Destin Commons
Included on 43% of listings
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Local Landmark
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James Lee Park
Included on 43% of listings
What’s the weather like in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 76°, while the average low is about 62°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 53 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 Santa Rosa Beach 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
48° Low 63° High
Spring
March through May
62° Low 74° High
Summer
June through August
76° Low 87° High
Fall
September through November
64° Low 78° High
Cities Near Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, is located in Walton County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
