Carrabelle, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Carrabelle, FL?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Carrabelle, Florida. The city operates under Franklin County zoning regulations, and STR operations fall under Florida state statutes governing transient public lodging establishments. Carrabelle, being located in Franklin County, follows the county's zoning framework which includes specific provisions for commercial lodging operations, including traditional hotels/motels and certain types of resort condominiums.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Carrabelle?

Carrabelle hosts earn a median $27,908/year with $212 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,870+ per year.

See the full Carrabelle market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Carrabelle

Market Entry Strategy

Property Selection: Choose properties zoned appropriately for STR operations
Zoning Verification: Confirm zoning compliance using Franklin County's interactive zoning map
Licensing: Obtain required state and local licenses
Insurance: Secure comprehensive liability coverage
Local Registration: Register with appropriate authorities

Operational Setup

Based on established vacation rental operations in the area (similar to Southern Coast Vacation Properties serving Carrabelle), successful STR operations should include:

Professional property management services
Guest screening protocols
24/7 guest support availability
Regular property maintenance schedules
Compliance with local noise and occupancy regulations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements (Florida)

Florida State Statute 509.013 governs transient public lodging establishments, requiring:

Public Lodging Establishment License from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Compliance with Florida fire safety codes
Adherence to health department regulations
Proper tax registration for Florida state and local sales taxes

Local Requirements (Franklin County/Carrabelle)

Zoning Compliance:

Property must be located in appropriate zoning district
C-2 Commercial Business District allows hotels/motels (50 or fewer units)
C-4 Mixed Use Residential District permits combined residential/commercial use
Residential districts (R-1 through R-6) typically require special approval for STR operations

Development Standards:

Maximum building height: 47 feet
Impervious surface limits vary by district (25%-80%)
Setback requirements: 25 feet from roads, 10 feet from other property lines, 50 feet from wetlands/water bodies

Documentation Requirements

Property ownership documentation or lease agreements
Zoning verification from Franklin County
Business tax receipt from Franklin County Tax Collector
Florida Department of Revenue tax registration
Proof of liability insurance
Emergency contact information posting requirements

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Carrabelle)

No specific city-level STR ordinances were identified in the provided content. Carrabelle operates under Franklin County regulations.

County-Level Regulations (Franklin County)

Zoning Compliance:

Commercial Business District (C-2): Permits hotels/motels with 50 or fewer units
Commercial Recreational District (C-3): Allows motels/hotels to accommodate marina and fish camp customers
Mixed Use Residential District (C-4): Permits combination of residence and business within single structure

Parking Requirements:

Off-street parking must be on permeable surfaces or include stormwater holding ponds
Commercial districts require compliance with zoning ordinance parking standards (pages 42-44)

Special Provisions for Resort Condominiums: Under C-2 district, Resort Condominium Units may operate as STRs if they meet specific criteria:

Licensed as transient public lodging establishment
Located south of U.S. Highway 98
Approved prior to August 3, 2005, completed prior to November 15, 2007
Condominium recorded by January 7, 2008

State-Level Regulations (Florida)

Tax Requirements:

Florida state sales tax (6%)
Local sales taxes vary by county
All rental rates subject to state and local sales taxes

Safety and Health Standards:

Compliance with Florida fire safety codes
Health department regulations for food service if applicable
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance for reasonable accommodation

Age Requirements (per Florida State Statute 509.141):

Reservations made under false pretense are null and void
Check-in will not be allowed for fraudulent reservations
Guests must vacate immediately if policy violated

Contact Information for Local Authority

Franklin County Planning and Zoning Department

Physical Address: 248 US Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328 Phone: (850) 653-9783 Email: zoning@franklincountyflorida.gov Website: zoning.franklincountyflorida.gov Services: Zoning verification, permit applications, zoning compliance inquiries

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Phone: (850) 487-1395 Website: www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR Services: Public lodging establishment licenses, complaints

Franklin County Tax Collector

Phone: (850) 653-9321 Website: www.franklincountytaxcollector.com Services: Business tax receipts, local tax registration

Source Pages

Zoning Regulations and District Information:

Franklin County Zoning Classifications: zoning.franklincountyflorida.gov/pages/zoning-classifications
Interactive Zoning Map: gis.arpc.org/arcgis/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=959fb7cf8450449987d52f296b6dde0e
Franklin County Zoning Documents: zoning.franklincountyflorida.gov/documents
Zoning Code PDF: www.franklincountyflorida.com/documents/planning_building/zoningcode.pdf

Local Vacation Rental Operations:

Southern Coast Vacation Properties (Carrabelle operations): www.southerncoastvacationproperties.com/carrabelle/
Property Management Services: www.southerncoastvacationproperties.com/property-management/

Legal and Regulatory References:

Airbnb Legal Framework (Joya Injury Law): joyainjurylaw.com/practice-area/airbnb-accident-lawyers-in-carrabelle/

Important Considerations for STR Investors

Market Context

Carrabelle operates within the Franklin County tourism market, serving areas like St. George Island, Cape San Blas, and the Apalachicola Bay region. Established property management companies already operate in this market, indicating viable STR opportunities.

Compliance Priority

Given the complex interplay between county zoning, state statutes, and local operations, investors should prioritize:

Zoning compliance verification before property acquisition
State licensing and registration processes
Local tax registration and compliance
Insurance coverage adequate for Florida requirements

Operational Requirements

Successful STR operations in Carrabelle typically include professional management, guest services, and compliance with both state safety regulations and local community standards.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available public information. Zoning regulations and STR requirements can change. Investors should verify current requirements with local authorities before making investment decisions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Carrabelle

Carrabelle is a small coastal city in Franklin County, on Florida's Gulf Coast in the panhandle. With a population of roughly 2,700 residents, it has the laid-back, salt-weathered feel that defines the so-called Forgotten Coast, a stretch of the Gulf that has remained quieter than the busier beaches to the east and west. Carrabelle is best known as a gateway to St. George Island and the surrounding Apalachicola Bay region, and as a working waterfront with a long tradition of oystering, shrimping, and charter fishing. It sits about 55 miles southwest of Tallahassee, the state capital and nearest major city, a drive of roughly an hour along U.S. Highway 98.

One of the city's most photographed curiosities is the so-called World's Smallest Police Station, a one-person phone booth-style outpost from the 1960s that still stands in the downtown area and has become a beloved roadside photo stop. Just across the highway, the Carrabelle Beach and the adjoining public beach park offer calm Gulf waters, a long stretch of sugar-white sand, and views out toward Dog Island, the closest offshore barrier island. From the Carrabelle beach area, small-boat ferries run to Dog Island, an unincorporated, low-key strip known for shelling, surf fishing, and an absence of high-rise development.

To the west, a short drive over the Bryant Patton Bridge brings visitors to St. George Island, a 22-mile barrier island that is home to St. George Island State Park and the historic fishing community of Apalachicola just inland. To the east, Tate's Hell State Forest covers more than 200,000 acres of pine flatwoods, swamps, and blackwater creeks, offering paddling trails, wildlife viewing, and a sense of the wilder side of the Big Bend. Closer in, the Carrabelle History Museum and the small downtown along the City Marina give visitors a sense of the town's timber, naval, and fishing past.

For short-term rental owners, Carrabelle appeals to travelers who want a quieter, more nature-oriented alternative to the Panhandle's high-rise beach towns. Its combination of an authentic small-town waterfront, easy access to St. George Island and Tate's Hell, and proximity to Tallahassee and Apalachicola gives it year-round appeal, with summer beach traffic, spring and fall fishing visitors, and winter travelers drawn to the mild Gulf climate. The result is a market where rentals that lean into the area's outdoor and small-town character tend to stand out.