Short-Term Rental (STR) Certificate of Use Program

Short-term rental owners can now apply for the Certificate of Use at pinellas.gov/access-portal.

Virtual Orientation: Short-Term Rental Certificate of Use

Attention short-term rental owners and operators in unincorporated Pinellas County:
Join us for a virtual orientation 
April 16, 2025
from 4 to 6 p.m.

Learn how to apply for your Certificate of Use and how to abide by Pinellas County’s short-term rental ordinance. The webinar will cover the application process, inspection requirements, program fees and include a Q&A session.

Register for the webinar to attend.
A call in option will be available.

The webinar will be recorded and available on this page shortly after it finishes.

Reporting Short-Term Rental Complaints

If you have concerns about a short-term rental in your neighborhood in unincorporated Pinellas County, here’s how you can report them:

  • For noise complaints: Call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200 AND the 24/7 Short-Term Rental Hotline at (727) 353-2436.
  • For general STR complaints: File a report through online at pinellas.gov/strcomplaint or call our 24/7 Short-Term Rental Hotline at (727) 353-2436.

Welcome to the Pinellas County Short-Term Rental (STR) guide! Whether you’re renting out your property for the first time or you’re a seasoned host, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant, protect your guests and be a great neighbor.

The following applies to STR properties located in unincorporated Pinellas County. Check with your municipality for its short-term rental rules.

Not sure if you live in a municipality or unincorporated Pinellas County? Find out here.

What is a Short-Term Rental?

A short-term rental is any home or unit rented out for short stays of less than 30 days, more than three times per year, or that is advertised as a place for regular guest rentals. This includes single-family homes, duplexes, condos and accessory units.

Why Did Pinellas County Create a Certificate of Use Program?

Pinellas County launched the Certificate of Use program to help keep neighborhoods safe, peaceful and enjoyable for both residents and visitors. The program ensures that short-term rentals in unincorporated Pinellas County follow safety standards and local regulations. It also addresses common issues like excessive noise and parking problems before they start.

When is the deadline to obtain my STR property’s Certificate of Use?

If the short-term rental’s physical address is in one of the following ZIP codes and located in unincorporated Pinellas County:

Zip CodesDeadline to Apply for Certificate of Use
34677 through 34698; 33759; 33761; 33763; 33765May 31, 2025
33702 through 33715; 33781; 33782June 30, 2025
33755; 33756; 33760; 33762; 33764; 33770 through 33778July 31, 2025

About the STR Ordinance

Pinellas County’s short-term rental ordinance applies to properties rented for less than 30 days at a time, more than three times a year. This includes single-family homes, duplexes, condos and accessory units. Owners must obtain a Certificate of Use which requires rental operators to follow safety rules and local laws. The ordinance sets rules for maximum occupancy, parking, noise and trash to help keep neighborhoods safe and peaceful. Rental operators must pay required state and local taxes. Violating the ordinance can lead to daily fines and penalties.

Key Highlights of the Ordinance

  • Certificate of Use: All STR property owners must apply for a Certificate of Use pass an inspection and pay the required fees.
  • Fees:
    • $450 Certificate of Use fee (split into two payments for the first year).
    • $150 initial inspection fee (a $100 re-inspection fee applies if the property does not pass the initial inspection).
    • Annual renewal fee of $450.
    • Re-inspection fee of $100 (required every two years).
  • Occupancy Limits: Maximum of two guests per bedroom, plus up to two extra guests in one common area. The total occupancy cannot exceed 10 guests. Guests of all ages are considered occupants.
  • Parking Rules: Provide one off-street parking space for every three occupants, rounded up to the next whole number. Parking on the front lawn does not count toward the minimum requirement of spaces per number of occupants.
  • Clear Information for Guests: Display key rules and emergency details prominently inside the property.
    • The name, address and phone number of the short-term vacation rental responsible party
    • The maximum occupancy of the unit (see above)
    • The maximum number of vehicles that can be parked at the unit (see above), along with a sketch of the location of the off-street parking spaces
    • Noise standard (quiet hours listed above)
    • The days of trash pickup and recycling
    • The location of the nearest hospital

How to Be a Great Neighbor

  • Respect the Pinellas County Noise Ordinance and encourage guests to do the same. Remember that quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day.
  • Ensure parking is confined to your property’s designated spaces.
  • Be available as the responsible party to address any issues promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions