Short-Term Rental (STR) Certificate of Use Program

Pinellas County Government created 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 meet safety standards, comply with local laws and address potential issues like noise and parking before problems arise. These guidelines help protect residents’ quality of life while also supporting tourism.

Any property owner or entity renting out a short-term rental unit in unincorporated Pinellas County more than three times per year for stays of less than 30 days must obtain a valid Certificate of Use for each unit. Short-term rental owners will be able to apply for the Certificate of Use starting March 31, 2025. 

All short-term rentals in Pinellas County must display a single-page notice inside the property, near the main entrance. This notice helps ensure guests understand the rules and are prepared for a safe and enjoyable stay.

• Responsible Party Details: The name, address, and phone number of the short-term rental’s responsible party.

• Occupancy and Parking Information:
  • Maximum occupancy of the unit is two per bedroom, plus up to two in one common area, with a maximum of 10 total occupants.
  • Maximum number of vehicles allowed (one vehicle for every three guests, rounded up), along with a sketch showing the location of designated off-street parking spaces.
• Trash and Recycling: The schedule for trash and recycling pickup.
• Emergency Information:
  • The location of the nearest hospital.
  • The after-hours short-term rental monitoring hotline number.
• Guest Reminder:
  • Include the following statement (or similar):
    “You are vacationing in a residential area. Please be a good neighbor by keeping noise to a respectful level during the day and night. Excessive and unreasonable noise can disturb the peace of the neighborhood.”

• Obtain a Florida DBPR License if your rental is considered a transient public lodging establishment/
• Register for the 6 percent Tourist Development Tax through the Pinellas County Tax Collector.
• Register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect and remit state sales taxes.

To maintain compliance, ensure your property meets all ordinance requirements, including, but not limited to:

• Following occupancy and parking limits.
• Posting required rental information (emergency contacts, noise rules, trash schedules).
• Keeping the property safe by addressing any inspection issues.
• Renewing your Certificate of Use annually and undergoing inspections every two years.
• Following local noise, safety, and operational guidelines as outlined in the ordinance.

The inspection ensures your rental meets safety and compliance standards, including:

• Meets requirements of Florida Building Code and manufacturer’s specifications for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Verifying bedrooms meet the ordinance definition:
  
  “Bedroom means a room that can be used for sleeping and that:
• (1) For site-built dwellings, has a minimum of 70 square feet of conditioned space
• and minimum ceiling height in accordance with the Florida Building Code and
• complies with the Pinellas County Code Section 22-300 (dwelling space);
• (2) For manufactured homes, is constructed according to the standards of the United
• States Department of Housing and Urban Development and has a minimum of 50
• square feet of floor area;
• (3) Is located along an exterior wall;
• (4) Has a closet and a door or an entrance where a door could be reasonably installed;
• (5) Has an emergency means of escape and rescue opening to the outside in
• accordance with the Florida Building Code;
• (6) A room may not be considered a bedroom if it is used to access another room
• except a bathroom or closet;
• (7) “Bedroom” does not include a hallway, bathroom, kitchen, living room, family
• room, dining room, den, breakfast nook, pantry, laundry”
  
• If the property has a swimming pool, meets the requirements of the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act.

Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from Pinellas County Code Enforcement with instructions on how to schedule an inspection.

If you fail an inspection, a $100 re-inspection fee applies. A re-inspection must be scheduled within 30 days.

Failing to register or renew your STR property can result in penalties, citations or daily fines. Short-term rental owners will be able to apply for the Certificate of Use starting March 31, 2025. 

Yes, a separate Certificate of Use application is required for each short-term rental property, and the associated fees will apply to each one. Short-term rental owners will be able to apply for the Certificate of Use starting March 31, 2025. 

No. Certificates of Use are non-transferable. New STR owners must apply for a certificate within 30 days of purchase.

The Certificate of Use Program is only for properties that reside in unincorporated Pinellas County. Contact the specific municipality for more information. Not sure if your STR property in a municipality or unincorporated Pinellas County? Find out here.

Yes. A state license does not replace the County’s Certificate of Use requirement. Your DBPR license must remain valid as part of maintaining compliance. Short-term rental owners will be able to apply for the Certificate of Use starting March 31, 2025. 

• $450 Certificate of Use fee (split into two payments).
• $150 initial inspection fee ($100 re-inspection fee applies if the rental fails).
• $450 annual renewal fee.
• $100 re-inspection fee (every two years).