Regulations >
Florida >
Defuniak Springs

Want to see how Defuniak Springs compares to other top cities in Florida?  Explore all city regulations in Florida. →

B

Defuniak Springs, FL

Generally Investor Friendly

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Defuniak Springs STR Expert
Defuniak Springs, Florida skyline

STR Regulations for Defuniak Springs, Florida

Overview: STR Regulations Status

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in DeFuniak Springs, Florida and throughout Walton County. The city operates under Walton County's comprehensive short-term rental framework, which permits STRs subject to registration and compliance with local, county, and state regulations. Properties must obtain county-level registration in addition to meeting city zoning requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Defuniak Springs?

Defuniak Springs hosts earn a median $23,997/year with $165 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $38,514+ per year.

See the full Defuniak Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Starting a short-term rental business in DeFuniak Springs requires completion of a multi-layered registration and licensing process at federal, state, county, and local levels. The following step-by-step process outlines the requirements:

Step 1: Business Entity Registration (State Level)

Step 2: Tax Registration (State Level)

Step 3: Professional Licensing (State Level)

Step 4: Tourism Development Tax Registration (County Level)

Step 5: County STR Registration (County Level)

  • Register with Walton County Vacation Rental Registration Program
  • Contact Walton County at stvr@mywaltonfl.gov with business address and account email
  • Access registration portal: waltonvrc.munirevs.com

Step 6: Property Preparation and Compliance

  • Designate a Local Responsible Party (detailed requirements below)
  • Complete life safety requirements (detailed below)
  • Prepare required postings and documentation

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business Registration Documents

  • Florida Department of State business registration (for LLCs/corporations)
  • Florida Department of Revenue registration certificate
  • Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation license
  • Walton County Tourism Development Tax registration
  • Walton County STR registration certificate

Required Forms and Applications

Documentation Requirements

  • Interior and exterior property sketches (hand-drawn acceptable)
  • Property zoning verification from Walton County GIS: gis.mywaltonfl.gov/
  • Maximum occupancy calculations (150 sq ft per person)
  • Parking space documentation
  • Life safety compliance documentation

Posting Requirements

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Walton County STR Regulations

Local Responsible Party Requirements

  • Qualifications: Must be 18 years or older
  • Availability: Available 24/7 by landline or mobile phone
  • Response Time: Must respond to property within 1 hour of notification
  • Monitoring: Must monitor property at least weekly for compliance
  • Designation: One responsible party per property; alternate required during unavailability

Occupancy Limitations

  • Maximum occupancy: 1 person per 150 square feet of heated/cooled living area
  • Alternative lower limit may be established during certification process
  • Occupancy must be posted in rental unit

Parking Requirements

  • New Construction: 1 space per 900 sq ft of heated/cooled space (or 1 per 6 occupants)
  • Existing Units: Parking established during certification process
  • Usage: Garage spaces only count if open and available to guests
  • Restrictions: Golf carts, RVs, trailers cannot occupy designated parking spaces if counting toward minimum

Trash and Waste Management

  • Capacity: 35 gallons per 4 occupants minimum
  • Containers: Must have secure lids to prevent spills and animal access
  • Placement: Curbside placement no earlier than 4:00 PM day before pickup; removal by sunset on pickup day
  • Screening: Must comply with development approval or neighborhood standards

Wildlife Protection Zones

DeFuniak Springs City Regulations

Important Note: DeFuniak Springs does not maintain separate STR-specific regulations beyond the county framework. The city operates under the Walton County STR regulations, with general zoning requirements applying to STR properties as follows:

Zoning Compliance

  • STRs must comply with underlying zoning district requirements
  • Property zoning can be verified through Walton County GIS system
  • Use the Planning Interactive Map: www.mywaltonfl.gov/1096/County-Maps

General Development Standards

  • Must comply with all city Land Development Regulations (Chapter 18)
  • Building permits required for any construction or modifications
  • Site plan review may be required for certain developments

Florida State Regulations

Life Safety Requirements

  • Smoke Detectors:

    • New facilities: Hardwired with battery backup
    • Existing facilities: Battery-powered acceptable if tested weekly
    • Log required for battery-powered detectors
    • Specialized detectors for hearing impaired: 1 per 50 units, max 5 per facility

  • Fire Extinguishers:

    • Multi-purpose dry chemical 2A:10B:C required on each floor
    • Must meet NFPA 10 standards
    • Installation, inspection, and maintenance required

  • Emergency Lighting:

    • Battery-powered emergency lighting for primary exit
    • Minimum 1-hour illumination requirement
    • Existing certificates: 6-month compliance period

  • Means of Egress:

    • Primary exit: Door, stairway, or ramp to outside
    • Secondary exit: Independent exit or operable window (5.7 sq ft opening, max 44" height)
    • Not required if dwelling has automatic sprinkler system

Multi-Story Building Requirements (3+ Stories)

  • Balcony Inspection:

  • Evacuation Maps:

    • Required on third floor and above
    • Posted next to interior bedroom doors
    • Minimum 8½" x 11" size

Sanitization Requirements

  • Kitchen Equipment: Must comply with Chapter 4 Food Code standards
  • Ice Machines: Must use approved water sources; proper drainage required
  • Glassware/Utensils: Must be cleaned and sanitized per federal/state standards
  • Exception: If not providing dishware/kitchenware, must post notice of household cleaning standards

Kitchen Requirements

  • Sink: Hot and cold running water under pressure required
  • Appliances: Must be clean, odor-free, and in good repair
  • Ventilation: Must minimize heat, steam, condensation, odors
  • Lighting: Minimum 10 foot candles required
  • Utensils: Sufficient and suitable cooking utensils required

Locking Devices

  • Must meet Florida Building Code Chapter 10, Section 1008.1.8 requirements
  • Cannot be opened by non-master guest room key
  • Sliding chains or hook-and-eye devices not acceptable

Advertising Requirements

  • Must include STR certificate number and TDT registration number in all advertising
  • Must conform to certified maximum occupancy and parking
  • Cannot misrepresent property capabilities or amenities

Registration Fees and Timeline

Walton County Registration Fees

  • Individual Property Registration: $300.00/property
  • Community Registration: $227.00/property
  • Managing Agent Modification: $125.00
  • Local Responsible Party Modification: $25.00
  • Late Filing Fee: Per Policy
  • Paper Application Processing: $100.00
  • Operating Without Registration: $500.00/day

Annual Renewal Schedule

  • 32550: August 1 - July 31
  • 32461, 32462, 32578, 32413, 32439: November 1 - October 31
  • 32459: February 1 - January 31
  • 32435, 32455, 32539, 32464, 32467, 32433: May 1 - April 30

Renewals can be processed 30 days prior to expiration. One reminder email is sent 45 days before expiration.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration Program

Violation Reporting

Fire Safety Contacts

  • South Walton Fire District: 911 N. County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

    • Phone: (850) 267-1298
    • Email: info@swfd.org

  • Walton County Fire & Rescue: 10 Sheriff Circle, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

    • Phone: (850) 892-8111

Additional Resources

Source Links

Official Government Websites

State Registration Portals

Required Forms and Documents

Reporting and Compliance

Safety and Inspection Resources

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Investors should conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals regarding specific property situations and regulatory compliance requirements. Regulations may change; always verify current requirements with official government sources.

Next step

Found a property in Defuniak Springs?

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 Defuniak Springs

Free brief

Get the free Defuniak Springs STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Defuniak Springs, Florida in one email.

Defuniak Springs

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
3/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Defuniak Springs Market Analysis

Photos of Defuniak Springs

Overview of Defuniak Springs

DeFuniak Springs is a small historic city in Walton County, in the Florida Panhandle, with a population of roughly 5,000 to 6,000. It carries the unhurried character of a late-nineteenth-century resort town, its downtown ringed by Victorian-era homes and brick streets laid out around a strikingly round natural lake. Best known as the home of the historic Florida Chautauqua Assembly, it also serves as a quieter, inland gateway to the sugar-white beaches of the Emerald Coast. The city sits about 70 miles east of Pensacola and roughly 50 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, making it a natural base for travelers who want beach access without the cost and congestion of staying on the coast.

At the heart of town lies Lake DeFuniak, one of only two naturally circular lakes in the world and the reason the community exists at this particular spot. The lake is roughly a half mile across, fringed by a public park, walking paths, and historic homes, and offers visitors a calm place to walk, fish, or picnic just steps from the downtown square.

A short stroll from the lakefront leads to the Florida Chautauqua Assembly grounds, a national historic district that has hosted lectures, performances, and religious retreats since 1885. The Assembly's preserved auditorium, hotel, and cottage-style buildings give the town a distinctive cultural and architectural identity, and the site still hosts seasonal events and a yearly festival.

About 30 to 40 miles to the south, the South Walton and 30A beaches, including communities such as Seaside, Grayton Beach, and Rosemary Beach, offer some of the most photographed coastline in the United States. The drive from DeFuniak Springs to the beach communities typically takes under an hour, allowing short-term guests to pair small-town nights with full Gulf days.

Closer to home, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is roughly 15 minutes north of the city, where visitors can swim, snorkel, and picnic along the cool, clear waters of a natural spring. A slightly longer drive east leads to Falling Waters State Park, home to Florida's tallest waterfall, where a stream drops into a deep sinkhole on its way toward the underground aquifer.

DeFuniak Springs makes a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because it offers something the coast usually does not: a historic, walkable small-town setting with shaded streets and a sense of place, paired with easy day-trip access to the Gulf beaches and several notable state parks. Guests can spend mornings by the circular lake or touring the Chautauqua buildings, afternoons swimming in inland springs, and evenings at the beach before returning to a quieter, more affordable inland home. For owners, that combination of charm, variety, and proximity to high-demand coastal destinations gives the market a steady, year-round appeal.

Want to know if a property in Defuniak Springs is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.