Crestview, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Crestview, FL?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Crestview and across Okaloosa County. In Florida, any overnight rental of less than six months is a short-term rental. Vacation rentals—single-family to four-family dwellings and certain condo/cooperative/timeshare units that are transient public lodging establishments—are recognized and regulated at the state level. Okaloosa County provides local guidance, collects the Tourist Development Tax (bed tax), and can impose local requirements such as occupancy limits, registration, onsite postings, inspections, and regulation of parking, solid waste, and evacuations.

Note: Fort Walton Beach (a neighboring municipality) has proposed a new STR ordinance with occupancy limits, signage, local responsible party, and parking standards. As of the latest public discussion (March 2025), the proposal was still being refined; it is not a final law and does not apply to Crestview.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Crestview?

Crestview hosts earn a median $27,993/year with $161 ADR and 64% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $40,449+ per year.

See the full Crestview market breakdown

How to Start a STR Business in this Market

Confirm zoning and parcel restrictions.
- For any Okaloosa Island properties, review Protective Covenants and Restrictions; contact Growth Management for zoning clarity and restricted areas (850-651-7180).
Obtain state lodging licensing.
- Apply for and maintain a Florida DBPR vacation rental license; this is required for operating a lodging establishment that rents to transients.
Register and remit Tourist Development Tax (TDT).
- Create an online account with the Okaloosa County Clerk to register and remit TDT monthly; filing is due by the first of the month, with penalties after the 20th. A 2.5% collection allowance (up to $30) applies only if you file online.
Designate a local responsible party.
- Ensure a responsible party can respond rapidly if issues arise.
Implement safety and property standards.
- Meet fire/life safety requirements; confirm that insurance and building code standards are maintained.
Engage professional property management if desired.
- Many managers will handle licensing, guest screening, TDT remittance, and compliance monitoring on your behalf.
Consider HOA or covenant restrictions if applicable.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Florida State Requirements
- Vacation Rental License (DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants): required for transient public lodging establishments; obtain, post onsite as required, and renew per DBPR rules.
- Florida Statutory Definition of Vacation Rental: see Florida Statutes §509.242 (definition and lodging classification).
Okaloosa County Requirements
- Tourist Development Tax Registration and Remittance: register with the Clerk’s online portal and remit monthly; TDT applies to all rentals of six months or less and is due by the first of the month; late penalties apply after the 20th. Quarterly filing is allowed only when the total tax for each quarter does not exceed $250; a collection allowance applies to online filings.
- Local Rules and Postings: the County may require occupancy limits, registration with the County, onsite postings (e.g., contact info and maximum occupancy), inspections, and controls over parking, solid waste, and evacuation procedures.
- Okaloosa Island Covenants & Restrictions: properties on Okaloosa Island in certain zones (e.g., Zone B-1) are subject to protective covenants that can restrict STR operations; confirm with Growth Management before leasing.
Safety and Life Safety Standards
- Fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting are typically required for lodging; verify requirements with DBPR and local building/fire officials.
Platform and Tax Considerations
- Short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO/Expedia) do not automatically remit Okaloosa County’s TDT to the Clerk; owners are responsible for collecting and remitting TDT. If you operate exclusively through certain platforms, some agencies require only your listing IDs for registration.
Homestead Exemption
- If the owner is not permanently residing in the dwelling, the property may not qualify for a homestead exemption; misclassification can lead to back taxes and penalties. Consult the Property Appraiser.

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

State (Florida)
- STR definition: any rental less than six months.
- Vacation Rental classification: single-family to four-family dwellings or units in condo/cooperative/timeshare plans that are transient public lodging establishments require lodging licensing and compliance with state lodging rules.
County (Okaloosa County)
- TDT: monthly remittance due by the first of the month; penalties after the 20th; 2.5% collection allowance for online filings; quarterly filing allowed only if tax due per quarter does not exceed $250.
- Local Regulatory Powers: occupancy limits, registration, onsite information postings, inspections, and regulation of parking, solid waste, and evacuations.
- Okaloosa Island: protective covenants and zoning restrictions may limit or condition STR operations; contact Growth Management for parcel-specific guidance.
- Enforcement: handled via code enforcement processes (notices, citations, Code Enforcement Board) for ordinance violations.
City (Crestview)
- No city-specific STR rules are evident in the provided sources; Crestview falls under Okaloosa County requirements. Note that neighboring Fort Walton Beach has proposed its own ordinance (occupancy caps, signage, local responsible party, parking standards). As of the latest discussion, the proposal was still under development and not enacted; confirm current status with the city if evaluating property within Fort Walton Beach.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Okaloosa County Growth Management (zoning, covenants, restricted areas)
- Phone: 850-651-7180
- Website: myokaloosa.com/gm/home
Okaloosa County Code Enforcement (violations/compliance)
- North Office (Crestview): Ron Cliff
  - 812 E. James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536
  - Phone: 850-423-4855
  - Fax: 850-689-5512
  - Email: rcliff@myokaloosa.com
Tourist Development Tax (TDT) – Okaloosa County Clerk
- Email: TouristTax@OkaloosaClerk.com
- Phone: 850-651-7200 x3492
- Online Registration/Remittance: okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com
Sheriff (law enforcement, non-emergency)
- Phone: 850-651-7400
- Emergency: 911
DBPR (state lodging licensing and complaints)
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Vacation rental licensing guidance and forms available on the DBPR site (see “Links” section)
Property Appraiser (homestead exemption and classification)
- Phone: 850-651-7240
- Website: okaloosapa.com/real-property

Links to Source Pages

Short-Term Rental Information (Okaloosa County)
- myokaloosa.com/short-term-rental
Tourist Development Tax (Okaloosa County Clerk)
- okaloosaclerk.com/board-services/tourist-development-tax
Code Enforcement (Okaloosa County Growth Management)
- myokaloosa.com/gm/code-enforcement
DBPR Vacation Rental Licensing Guide (Florida)
- myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/vrtsp-guide/
Florida Statutes §509.242 (Vacation Rental definition)
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/509.242
Okaloosa Island Protective Covenants & Restrictions (PDF)
- myokaloosa.com/sites/default/files/doc/dept/growth_mgmt/covenants.pdf
Fort Walton Beach Draft STR Ordinance (Discussion Article)
- getthecoast.com/fort-walton-beach-council-discusses-proposed-short-term-rental-regulations/

Action Checklist (Quick Reference)

Verify zoning/covenants with Growth Management (850-651-7180).
Obtain/maintain Florida DBPR vacation rental license.
Register for Okaloosa County TDT and file monthly (okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com).
Post required onsite information (e.g., responsible party contact, occupancy).
Confirm life-safety equipment and building code compliance.
Monitor local code updates and respond to compliance notices promptly.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Crestview

Crestview is a city in Okaloosa County in the northwestern Florida Panhandle, where it serves as the county seat and home to a population of roughly 25,000 residents. Nicknamed the "Hub City" for the network of state highways and rail lines that converge there, Crestview has a relaxed, small-town Southern feel, with oak-shaded streets, a low-key historic downtown, and a strong sense of community tied in part to the military families stationed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base. The city functions as a practical inland gateway to the white-sand beaches of the Emerald Coast and to the natural attractions scattered across the surrounding Panhandle. It lies approximately 50 miles northeast of Pensacola, the closest major metropolitan area, and roughly 150 miles west of Tallahassee.

A short drive northeast of Crestview, Blackwater River State Forest covers more than 190,000 acres of longleaf pine forest threaded by the sand-bottomed Blackwater River, which is renowned for its exceptionally clear water. Visitors come for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking along the river, as well as for hiking, horseback riding, and camping under the pines, making it a popular year-round outdoor destination about 25 minutes from the city center.

About 30 to 40 minutes south of Crestview, the Emerald Coast beaches of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island draw visitors with their famously soft, sugar-white sand and emerald-green Gulf waters. The shoreline is lined with public beach access points, beachfront state parks, fishing charters, and harbor cruises, and the area has become one of the most popular family beach destinations in the southeastern United States.

In town, the historic Main Street district is anchored by locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and antique stores, and serves as the center of community events, including festivals and gatherings throughout the year. Just down the road, the Eglin Air Force Base reservation covers a vast swath of the region and hosts the Air Force Armament Museum, where visitors can view historic military aircraft and learn about the base's long role in American aviation history.

Crestview appeals to short-term-rental investors because it offers a more affordable inland alternative to the higher-priced coastal towns while still placing guests within a short drive of some of Florida's most celebrated beaches and outdoor destinations. Its central Panhandle position, military-driven economy, and proximity to both natural areas and the Gulf of Mexico shoreline make it a versatile base for travelers exploring northwest Florida.