Tallahassee, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Tallahassee 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

Short-term rentals are not regulated yet. Property owners in Leon County can once again open their doors for short-term vacation rentals. Leon County's short-term vacation rental plan has been approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The plan allows for property owners and managers to resume welcoming guests.

Short-term rentals will have to have and display 'Vacation Rental Dwelling License,' sales tax information, and tourist development tax information.

Business License Requirements

Visit the city's application site to apply for a business license in Tallahassee, Florida. Please review the City's summary of the steps needed to start a business in Tallahassee and contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for more information.

Building and Housing Standards

The City of Tallahassee enforces rules and regulations specifying minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including habitability, health, and safety regulations. Certain rules and regulations applicable to residential and non-residential regulations may be relevant to your listing. Visit the City of Tallahassee webpage or contact the City's Building Department for more information.
To see the full guidelines on short-term vacation rentals in Leon County, click here.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Guests who book in Leon County, FL, will pay the following tax as part of their reservation:
  • Tourist Development Tax: 5% of the listing price, including any cleaning fees, for 182 nights and shorter reservations. For detailed information, please visit the Leon County Tax Collector's website.

Other Rules

The laws and regulations that govern the short-term rental market are constantly changing. As demand remains high, more and more cities and vacation destinations will continue to take steps to protect residential neighborhoods and guests alike. For now, check the City's ordinances and state laws before getting started and revisit them often as regulations can change at any time.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.4
  • Competition

    6.9
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.9
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    4.3
  • Rental Rates

    5.6

Tallahassee, 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
196,169
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
June - July, October
County
Leon
Airports
Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH)
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Review our Tallahassee Florida short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Tallahassee?

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 Tallahassee rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Tallahassee rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Tallahassee.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Tallahassee Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Tallahassee guests.

Interested in other Florida cities?

Check out the Florida short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Tallahassee a great place to invest?

  1. Florida State Capitol - As the capital of Florida, Tallahassee is home to the Florida State Capitol, a stunning 22-story building with breathtaking views of the city. Visitors can take guided tours, attend legislative sessions, and learn about the history and significance of the building.
  2. Tallahassee Museum - This living history museum features a collection of historical buildings, exhibits, and live animals, giving visitors a glimpse into the region's rich cultural and natural heritage. The museum also offers educational programs, nature trails, and zip line adventures.
  3. Cascades Park - Located in the heart of Tallahassee, this 24-acre park features a waterfall, amphitheater, walking trails, and a splash pad for kids. The park is also home to a variety of cultural events, including concerts, festivals, and art shows.
  4. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park - Just a short drive from Tallahassee, this 1,176-acre park features beautiful gardens, a lake for fishing and kayaking, and hiking trails through scenic woodlands. Visitors can also tour the historic Maclay House and learn about the history of the region.
  5. Tallahassee Antique Car Museum - Car enthusiasts will love this museum, which features a collection of over 140 antique cars, as well as vintage clothing, memorabilia, and other artifacts. Visitors can take guided tours and learn about the history of these classic cars.
  6. Florida State University - With its sprawling campus and diverse student body, Florida State University is a major cultural and educational hub in Tallahassee. Visitors can attend athletic events, concerts, and theater productions, as well as explore the university's museums and art galleries.
  7. Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center - This 15,000-seat arena is home to the Florida State Seminoles basketball team, as well as a variety of concerts, trade shows, and other events. Visitors can catch a game or attend one of the many events hosted at the Civic Center throughout the year.

Tallahassee Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Tallahassee?

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 Tallahassee has increased 11% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $169, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$248,234

11% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$169

8% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,433

6% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Tallahassee, Florida

Word Cloud for Tallahassee, Florida Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee has a description approximately 957 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 1,339 listings in Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, FSU, Florida, Place, Comfortable, Family, Quiet, Downtown, Perfect, and Beautiful.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Tallahassee?

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 Tallahassee involve Museums, the City Centre, Adventure Activities, the Health Spa, and Wildlife Viewing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Museums

City Centre

Adventure Activities

Health Spa

Wildlife Viewing

Swimming

Cycling

Hiking

Antiquing

Kayaking

Boating

Horseback Riding

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Tallahassee, including Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State Capitol Building, and Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. 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.

Well Known Attraction

Florida State University

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Florida A&M University

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Tallahassee Memorial Medical Center

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Cascades Park

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

New Capitol Building

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Florida State Capitol Building

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Tallahassee Downtown Market

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Governor's Square Mall

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

Included on 88% of listings

Regional Landmark

Tallahassee Community College

Included on 77% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Centre of Tallahassee

Included on 45% of listings

What’s the weather like in Tallahassee, Florida?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 79°, while the average low is about 57°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 48 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 Tallahassee 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

43° Low 66° High

Precipitation
12.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
4.4 days
Cloudiness
44%

Spring

March through May

56° Low 80° High

Precipitation
11.0"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
20.2 days
Cloudiness
41%

Summer

June through August

71° Low 90° High

Precipitation
15.7"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
84.6 days
Cloudiness
55%

Fall

September through November

58° Low 80° High

Precipitation
9.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
36.5 days
Cloudiness
40%