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Havana

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Havana, FL

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STR Regulations for Havana, Florida

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Havana, FL under specific conditions and regulations. The town operates under a "Performance Zoning Ordinance" that allows for vacation rentals and bed and breakfast operations, subject to zoning district requirements, permits, and compliance with local regulations. Properties may operate as short-term rentals if they meet the definition and requirements outlined in the town's zoning code.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Havana?

Havana hosts earn a median $32,150/year with $140 ADR and 75% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,802+ per year.

See the full Havana market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Havana, FL

Step 1: Determine Zoning Compliance

  1. Verify zoning district for your property using the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Havana
  2. Check use restrictions based on zoning district (Neighborhood Conservation, Development, Urban Core, or Heavy Industrial)

Step 2: Understand Allowed STR Types

Based on the zoning ordinance, Havana primarily allows:

  • Bed and Breakfast Inns (limited to 5 or fewer guest rooms)
  • Traditional vacation rentals (subject to zoning district approval)
  • Home occupations (for small-scale operations)

Step 3: Obtain Required Permits and Licenses

  1. Zoning Certificate (Section 8001)
  2. Building permits if modifications are needed
  3. Business tax receipt from Town of Havana
  4. State registration for Florida business operations

Step 4: Compliance Setup

  1. Insurance requirements for rental operations
  2. Safety inspections as required
  3. Guest registration and record-keeping systems
  4. Property management protocols

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Municipal Requirements (Town of Havana)

1. Zoning Certificate (Section 8001)

  • Application Required: Form to be submitted to the Planning Department
  • Purpose: Certifies that the proposed use complies with zoning regulations
  • Fee: As established by Town Council (see Section 8018)
  • Review Process: Administrative approval based on compliance with zoning standards

2. Conditional Use Permit (if required)

  • Applicability: Certain STR operations may require conditional use approval depending on zoning district
  • Process: Public hearing before Planning Commission and Town Council
  • Standards: Must demonstrate compatibility with neighborhood character

3. Building Permits

  • Required for: Structural modifications, plumbing/electrical work, safety installations
  • Inspection: Building Inspection Officer oversight (Section 8011)
  • Standards: Must comply with Gadsden County Building Code

4. Business Tax Receipt

  • Requirement: Annual business tax payment to Town of Havana
  • Amount: Varies based on business type and gross receipts

State Requirements (Florida)

1. Business Registration

  • Florida Business: Register with Florida Department of State
  • Tax ID: Obtain federal and state tax identification numbers
  • Workers' Compensation: If applicable for employees

2. Sales and Use Tax Registration

  • Transient Rental Tax: Register with Florida Department of Revenue
  • Monthly Filing: Collect and remit applicable taxes
  • Current Rate: Contact Florida DOR for current rates

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning District Restrictions

Neighborhood Conservation District (NC)

  • STR Status: Limited operations only
  • Bed and Breakfast: NOT permitted in NC district
  • Primary Use: Single-family detached dwellings only
  • Focus: Preserve existing neighborhood character

Development District (D)

  • STR Status: Most permissive for STR operations
  • Allowed Uses: Bed and Breakfast Inns, vacation rentals
  • Standards: Subject to performance zoning requirements
  • Density: Moderate density residential development permitted

Urban Core District (UC)

  • STR Status: Permitted with higher density allowances
  • Character: Community focal point and business center
  • Standards: High-intensity use regulations
  • Infrastructure: Enhanced public facilities required

Heavy Industrial District (HI)

  • STR Status: Not typically appropriate for residential STR operations
  • Primary Uses: Industrial operations only
  • Focus: Major industrial activities with significant impacts

Bed and Breakfast Inn Specific Regulations (Section 2300 Definition)

Operational Standards

  • Guest Rooms: Maximum of 5 or fewer guest rooms
  • Owner Residence: Owner/operator must maintain permanent residence on premises
  • Food Service: No food preparation or cooking in individual guest rooms
  • Kitchen/Pantry: Food preparation limited to designated kitchen and pantry areas
  • Stay Duration: Guests limited to maximum of 14 consecutive days
  • Parking: Adequate parking as outlined in Section 5700 required

Zoning Restrictions

  • Neighborhood Conservation: Bed and Breakfast Inns NOT allowed
  • Other Districts: Permitted subject to compliance with zoning standards

Property Standards and Requirements

Performance Standards (Section 4202)

All STR operations must comply with:

  • Open Space Ratio: As specified in Section 4203 Table
  • Impervious Surface Ratio: Maximum limits by district
  • Density Factor: Residential intensity limitations
  • Floor Area Factor: Building intensity controls

Site Design Requirements (Section 4612)

  • Landscaping: General landscaping requirements
  • Parking: Off-street parking standards (Section 5700)
  • Lighting: Exterior lighting performance standards
  • Signs: Sign regulations compliance (Section 4616)

Infrastructure Requirements

  • Access: Roadway access standards (Section 4706)
  • Fire Safety: Access for fire vehicles and apparatus (Section 4709)
  • Utilities: Adequate water, sewer, and stormwater management
  • Waste Management: Solid waste disposal compliance

Guest and Operational Limitations

Occupancy and Use

  • Duration Limits: 14-day maximum stay for Bed and Breakfast operations
  • Occupancy: Based on zoning district and structure capacity
  • Noise: Compliance with residential noise standards
  • Parking: Guest parking within specified limits

Record Keeping Requirements

  • Guest Register: Maintain records of all guests (names and dates)
  • Inspection Access: Records available for County inspection
  • Compliance Monitoring: Ongoing compliance with all regulations

Contact Information for Local Authority

Town of Havana Administrative Contacts

Planning Department

  • Zoning Inquiries: Planning Director
  • Permits: Zoning Officer
  • Phone: Contact Gadsden County for current Town contact information
  • Physical Address: Town Hall, Havana, FL (specific address to be verified)

Building Department

  • Building Permits: Building Inspection Officer
  • Inspections: Required for STR modifications
  • Code Compliance: Gadsden County Building Code standards

Town Council

  • Policy Questions: Town Council members
  • Conditional Uses: Public hearing scheduling
  • Appeals: Variance and interpretation requests

Gadsden County Contacts

County Planning

  • Comprehensive Planning: County planning staff
  • Development Review: Site plan and development approval
  • Intergovernmental Coordination: Municipal-county coordination

Tax Collector

  • Business Tax Receipts: Annual registration
  • Property Taxes: STR property assessment
  • Contact: Gadsden County Tax Collector office

Health Department

  • Septic Systems: STR waste management compliance
  • Food Service: Bed and breakfast food service permits
  • Public Health: Health and safety inspections

State of Florida Contacts

Department of Revenue

  • Transient Rental Tax: Monthly filing and remittance
  • Business Registration: Sales and use tax account
  • Online: floridarevenue.com

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

  • Lodging Licenses: State lodging operation permits
  • Inspection: State lodging facility compliance
  • Online: myfloridalicense.com

Important Notes for STR Investors

Market Considerations

  • Limited STR Market: Havana's small-town character limits large-scale STR operations
  • Tourism Base: Limited compared to larger Florida destinations
  • Seasonal Variations: Consider local economic factors
  • Competition: Limited existing STR inventory

Regulatory Compliance Priority

  • Zoning Verification: Always confirm STR legality before property purchase
  • Permit Timeline: Allow sufficient time for permit approvals
  • Ongoing Compliance: Regular monitoring of regulation changes
  • Neighbor Relations: Maintain positive community relationships

Investment Strategy Recommendations

  • Bed and Breakfast Model: Focus on established B&B operations
  • Zoning Compliance: Purchase properties in appropriate districts
  • Infrastructure: Ensure adequate parking and utilities
  • Professional Management: Consider professional property management

Source Pages

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the provided zoning ordinance content. Investors should verify current regulations, permit requirements, and contact information with the Town of Havana before making investment decisions. Zoning regulations and permitted uses can change, and this analysis represents the information available as of the ordinance revision date of June 2015.

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Havana

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 Havana Market Analysis

Photos of Havana

Overview of Havana

Havana is a small town in Gadsden County in the Florida Panhandle, with a population of approximately 1,700 residents. Set among rolling hills and live oaks draped in Spanish moss, the town has a quietly historic feel, with brick-paved streets and a compact downtown of preserved nineteenth-century buildings. Havana has long drawn visitors for its antique shops, art galleries, and seasonal festivals, and it functions as a charming low-key getaway within easy reach of Tallahassee, the state capital, which lies roughly fifteen minutes to the south.

Downtown Havana itself is the town's main draw, with a walkable corridor of antique stores, gift shops, and small eateries clustered around its restored commercial buildings. Visitors often spend a half-day browsing the dealers and then lingering over coffee or lunch in one of the locally owned cafés. The brick sidewalks and old storefronts give the area a distinctively small-town Southern character that is increasingly rare in Florida.

Tallahassee sits just south of Havana and offers the cultural and practical amenities of a state capital. Highlights include the Florida State Capitol, the Museum of Florida History, and the campus of Florida State University, whose sporting events and performing arts draw visitors year-round. The city also serves as a hub for the surrounding natural areas, making it easy to pair urban sightseeing with outdoor excursions.

To the west, Lake Talquin State Park wraps around the eastern edge of Lake Talquin, a reservoir on the Ochlockonee River. The park offers boating, fishing, hiking, and camping in a quiet hardwood-and-pine landscape, and the lake is well known among anglers for its bass and crappie fishing. It is roughly a twenty- to twenty-five-minute drive from Havana.

A bit farther afield, Florida Caverns State Park near Marianna is the only state park in Florida with dry caverns open to the public, offering guided cave tours through underground limestone formations. It is approximately an hour and a half west of Havana, making it a natural day trip for guests interested in geology and outdoor adventure.

For travelers drawn toward the coast, Wakulla Springs State Park and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge both lie roughly forty-five minutes to an hour south of Havana, providing opportunities for birding, wildlife viewing, and a glimpse of the region's famously clear springs. Together, these varied offerings make Havana an appealing base for short-term rentals, pairing the unhurried pace of a small historic town with quick access to a capital city, several state parks, and the Gulf Coast lowlands.

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