Tampa, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

Tampa currently has a relatively unregulated market for short-term rentals. State laws govern it, and thus those operating an STR business in Tampa need to ensure their property licensing and tax documentation.

Meanwhile, Hillsborough County, which contains the metropolitan area of Tampa, offers a little more restriction. The main concern on the county level is that those properties rented for 7 days or less at a time can only operate in certain city zones.

There are two layers of regulations in the Tampa housing market to discuss: the state-level and county-level laws. Overall, Airbnb is legal in Tampa on the state level, but no official ordinance has been passed at the county level. Hillsborough County, the county Tampa is located in, does not have any official short-term rental laws set in stone as of yet. The City Commission started discussing an ordinance in early March 2019. Some of the proposed Airbnb regulations in Tampa include maximum occupancy limits, parking requirements, and minimum living and safety requirements.

Business License Requirements

If you are listing a short-term rental, such as a single room or rooms other than the whole unit while the host remains in the home, you are not required to obtain a license from DBPR.

Rental Certificates are required only for residential properties inside the City of Tampa.  Before beginning the rental application or renewal process, you strongly recommended that you read the instructions before starting your application.

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 and any violations. These range from ensuring hygiene and cleanliness, providing a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment to guests, and scheduling and passing regular inspections. Visit the City of Tampa Municipal Code (Chapter 19-231) or contact the City's Building Department for more information.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Guests who book in Hillsborough County, FL, will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Hillsborough County Tourist Development Tax: 6% of the listing price, including any cleaning fee for reservations 182 nights and shorter. For detailed information, please visit the Hillsborough County Tax Collector 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.