Short-Term Rental (STR) Certificate of Use Program
(call 727-353-2436)
Short-term rental owners can now apply for a Certificate of Use at pinellas.gov/access-portal. Visit pinellas.gov/strapplicationinstructions/ for details on how to apply.
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 Codes | Deadline to Apply for Certificate of Use |
| 34677 through 34698; 33759; 33761; 33763; 33765 | May 31, 2025 |
| 33702 through 33715; 33781; 33782 | June 30, 2025 |
| 33755; 33756; 33760; 33762; 33764; 33770 through 33778 | July 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.
Certificate of Use Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Pinellas County create a 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.
2. Who is required to obtain a Certificate of Use?
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.
Apply for a Certificate of Use through the Pinellas County Access Portal.
3. What must I display in my STR property?
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.”
- Include the following statement (or similar):
4. This is my first time owning or operating a Short-Term Rental property. What must I do before applying for a Certificate of Use?
- 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.
5. How can I maintain compliance with the ordinance once I receive my Certificate of Use?
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.
6. What is included in the inspection?
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.
7. How do I schedule an inspection?
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from Pinellas County Code Enforcement with instructions on how to schedule an inspection. You will use our online platform to schedule an inspection, and you must first pay a fee for the inspection to take place.
8. What happens if I fail an inspection?
If you fail an inspection, a $100 re-inspection fee applies. A re-inspection must be scheduled within 30 days.
9. What happens if I do not obtain or renew a Certificate of Use?
Failing to register or renew your STR property can result in penalties, citations or daily fines.
10. I have more than one Short Term Rental property. Do I need to apply for a Certificate of Use application for each one?
Yes, a separate Certificate of Use application is required for each short-term rental property, and the associated fees will apply to each one. Apply for a Certificate of Use online via the Pinellas County Access Portal.
11. Can I transfer my Certificate of Use if I sell my property?
No. Certificates of Use are non-transferable. New STR owners must apply for a certificate within 30 days of purchase.
12. I no longer own or operate a STR property. Who do I contact to update my status?
Please contact our Short-Term Rental Support staff at str-support@pinellas.gov or call 727-464-4761 (option 4).
13. Do I need a Certificate of Use if my STR is in a Pinellas County municipality?
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.
14. Do I need a Certificate of Use if I have a DBPR State License?
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.
15. My rental platform collects and submits tax for me, do I still need a tax certificate?
Short-term rental property owners must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and obtain a State Retail Certificate for Sales Tax. If the short-term rental owner only rents through a platform that collects and remits the taxes on their behalf, the owner will need to call the Florida Department of Revenue once the account registration is active. This will keep the tax account active but tax returns will not be expected.
16. What documents are required for the Certificate of Use application?
The following documents are required to be uploaded online through the Certificate of Use application through the Pinellas County Access Portal. Check out our Application Instructions page for details on how to apply.
- Parking Plan – to include the number and location of on-site parking spaces, with a drawing of the location of parking spaces if applicable
- Copy of Recorded Deed or recent profile from the Pinellas County Property Appraiser
- DBPR Active Vacation Rental License – Proof of active license from the Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- State Resale Certificate for Sales Tax
- * Non-US Citizen Taxpayer ID Number– if owner is non-U.S. citizen
- * Verification for Active status from Division of Corporations- if property is corporately owned
- If Registered Agent/ Emergency Contact is not the short-term rental property owner:
17. What are the fees for a Certificate of Use?
- $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).