Clearwater, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Clearwater, FL

Short-term rentals are allowed in Clearwater, Florida, but are subject to specific regulations at both the city and county levels. Clearwater operates under a dual regulatory framework where the City of Clearwater has its own STR ordinance, and properties in unincorporated Pinellas County (outside city limits) are governed by Pinellas County's Certificate of Use program.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clearwater?

Clearwater hosts earn a median $31,411/year with $162 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,549+ per year.

See the full Clearwater market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clearwater

For Properties Within City Limits

Verify Zoning Compliance: Ensure your property is located in a zoning district that permits short-term rentals
Review City Requirements: Check City of Clearwater Community Development Code Sections 1-104.B & 3-919 for specific requirements
Obtain Necessary Permits: Follow city permitting requirements for STR operations
Tax Registration: Register for and collect applicable taxes

For Properties in Unincorporated Pinellas County

Apply for Certificate of Use (COU): Required for all STR properties in unincorporated areas
Schedule Inspection: Complete mandatory safety inspection
Pay Required Fees: Submit application and inspection fees
Annual Renewal: Maintain active COU status with annual renewals

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City of Clearwater Requirements

Short-term rental business registration
Compliance with Community Development Code requirements
Tax registration and collection setup

Pinellas County (Unincorporated Areas) Certificate of Use Requirements

Certificate of Use Application via Pinellas County Access Portal
Owner Affidavit confirming compliance with regulations
Agent Affidavit (if using a property management company)
Safety Inspection and compliance verification
Maximum Occupancy Documentation

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Clearwater STR Regulations

Prohibition Status: The city enforces its short-term rental ordinance in residential districts
Zoning Restrictions: Only permitted in specific zoning districts
Operational Requirements: Must comply with city noise, parking, and property maintenance codes
Safety Standards: Properties must meet building and fire safety requirements

Pinellas County (Unincorporated Areas) STR Regulations

Certificate of Use Program Requirements

Application Deadline by ZIP Code:
- Sept. 15, 2025: ZIP codes 34677-34698, 33759, 33761, 33763, 33765
- Oct. 15, 2025: ZIP codes 33702-33715, 33781, 33782
- Nov. 15, 2025: ZIP codes 33755, 33756, 33760, 33762, 33764, 33770-33778

Operational Standards

Maximum Occupancy: 2 guests per bedroom + 2 additional guests in common areas (maximum 10 total guests)
Parking Requirements: 1 off-street space per 3 occupants (front lawn parking doesn't count)
Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily
Property Information Display: Must post guest information including emergency contacts and property rules

Prohibited Structures

Sheds without utilities
Campers and recreational vehicles
Tents
Unmodified shipping containers

Fee Structure

Initial COU Fee: $450 (split into two payments for first year)
Initial Inspection: $150 ($100 re-inspection fee if fail)
Annual Renewal: $450
Biennial Re-inspection: $100

Property Exemptions

Single Room Rentals: Owner-occupied homes renting individual rooms don't require COU
Accessory Dwelling Units: Owner-occupied ADUs require COU

Florida State-Level Requirements

Tax Obligations

** Tourist Development Tax**: Must collect and remit applicable county tourist taxes
** Sales Tax**: Florida state sales tax collection requirements
Local Option Taxes: Any additional local taxes applicable in Pinellas County

Contact Information

City of Clearwater Code Compliance Division

Phone: (727) 562-4720
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Address: City of Clearwater Planning and Development Department
Online Reporting: Through Clearwater Connect system at myclearwater.com

Pinellas County Code Enforcement

STR Hotline: (727) 353-2436 (24/7)
Main Phone: (727) 464-4761
Building Services: (727) 464-3888
Development Review Help: drs-help@pinellas.gov
Building Services Email: buildingservices@pinellas.gov
Address: 631 Chestnut St., Clearwater, FL 33756
Online Application: Pinellas County Access Portal
File Complaints: Online STR Complaint Portal

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (for noise complaints)

Phone: (727) 582-6200

Source Links

Pinellas County STR Program: pinellas.gov/str/
Certificate of Use Application: pinellas.gov/access-portal
Application Instructions: pinellas.gov/strapplicationinstructions/
STR FAQs: pinellas.gov/short-term-rental-certificate-of-use-faqs/
City of Clearwater Code Compliance: www.myclearwater.com/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/neighborhoods/documents/code_compliance_handbook.pdf
Municipal Code of Ordinances: library.municode.com/fl/clearwater

Important Notes for STR Investors

Jurisdiction Clarity: Always verify whether your property falls within city limits or unincorporated Pinellas County
Compliance Deadlines: Meet all application and inspection deadlines to avoid penalties
Ongoing Requirements: Maintain compliance with renewal and re-inspection schedules
Neighbor Relations: Understand noise, parking, and property maintenance expectations
Insurance Considerations: Ensure adequate coverage for STR operations

This guide provides the essential framework for operating a compliant short-term rental in the Clearwater market. Always consult with local authorities for the most current requirements and any property-specific considerations.

Next step

Found a property in Clearwater?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Clearwater

Clearwater sits on Florida's central Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, a peninsula-bound stretch of the Tampa Bay region with an approximate population of 117,000 residents. The city is best known for its sugar-white Gulf beaches, with Clearwater Beach on a barrier island offshore drawing millions of visitors each year and repeatedly earning recognition as one of the top beaches in the United States. Clearwater functions as a gateway to the wider Tampa Bay area, and it lies roughly 20 to 25 miles west of downtown Tampa across the bay, a drive that typically takes about 30 minutes via the Courtney Campbell Causeway or the Howard Frankland Bridge. Its character blends an old-Florida coastal feel along the Intracoastal Waterway with the bustle of a major beach tourism hub.

Clearwater Beach is the marquee attraction, a wide, fine-sand strand on a barrier island just a few minutes' drive over the Memorial Causeway from the mainland. The beach's calm Gulf waters, Pier 60 with its nightly sunset celebration, and the adjacent beachwalk lined with restaurants and hotels make it a year-round draw. Visitors come for swimming, parasailing, and dolphin-spotting cruises that depart directly from the nearby marina.

Just south of the main beach, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers an indoor, weather-proof attraction centered on marine rescue and rehabilitation. Famous for its resident dolphins Winter and Hope—stars of the Dolphin Tale films—the aquarium draws families even on rainy summer afternoons and is only a few minutes from the main beach by car, making it a reliable rainy-day option for visitors.

For nature lovers, Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park lie a short drive north of downtown Clearwater. Caladesi is reachable by ferry from Honeymoon Island and is consistently rated among the best beaches in the country, while Honeymoon offers pine-forest trails, a pet beach, and easy access to bird-watching along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Clearwater is anchored by the historic Capitol Theatre and the surrounding Cleveland Street district, which has seen reinvestment in restaurants, breweries, and waterfront parks along the harbor. Within about a 15-minute drive, Ruth Eckerd Hall brings nationally touring concerts and Broadway shows to the area, rounding out the cultural offerings beyond the sand and surf.

Clearwater is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it pairs a nationally celebrated beach with a deep bench of secondary attractions—an aquarium, two state parks, a walkable downtown, and a respected performing-arts venue—all within a short drive of one another. Its proximity to Tampa International Airport and to the broader Tampa Bay region extends its appeal well beyond beach week, supporting a steady year-round flow of visitors and a strong calendar of repeat guests.