Jacksonville Beach, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES - Short-term vacation rentals are explicitly permitted in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Short-term vacation rentals are defined as privately owned dwelling units rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or which are advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests. These rentals are permitted in zoning districts where residential uses are permitted, including single-family, townhouses, and multi-family units.

Important Exception: An owner-occupied dwelling unit renting 50% or less of the unit is not subject to short-term vacation rental regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach hosts earn a median $47,111/year with $231 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $66,420+ per year.

See the full Jacksonville Beach market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Jacksonville Beach

Step 1: Determine Property Eligibility

Verify your property is in a zoning district where residential use is permitted
Confirm the property type: single-family, townhouse, or multi-family dwelling
Check deed restrictions and HOA/condo association rules, as these may impose additional limitations

Step 2: Apply for Required Certificates and Licenses

Obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate from Jacksonville Beach
Secure all state, county, and local business tax receipts
Complete fire marshal inspection
Register for tourist development tax

Step 3: Prepare for Operations

Designate a Responsible Party who meets all requirements
Ensure posting requirements are met at the property
Implement occupancy and parking limits

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Jacksonville Beach Requirements

1. Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate

Application form (notarized affidavit required)
Completed Local Business Tax Form for short-term vacation rentals
Fire Marshal inspection (required for initial applications and modifications)
Applicable fees (checks only)

2. Documentation Checklist:

Short-Term Vacation Rental Application Packet
Completed Local Business Tax Form
Property inspection from Fire Marshal
Notarized affidavit
Responsible Party information

State of Florida Requirements

1. Florida Department of Revenue Certificate

Certificate of registration for sales tax
Required for all short-term rental operations

2. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) License

Vacation rental license
Compliance with state safety standards
Categories include condo license and dwelling license

County of Duval Requirements

1. Duval County Local Business Tax Receipt

Annual fee: $79.20 per property
Application required through Duval County Tax Collector

2. Duval County Tourist Tax Certificate Registration

Required for rentals of 6 months or less
Must be collected from guests and remitted to appropriate authorities

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Jacksonville Beach)

Location Requirements:

Permitted in all zoning districts where residential use is a permitted or conditional use
Must comply with Section 34-731 of the Land Development Code

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, not to exceed 12 occupants per unit
Only individuals over 24 months counted toward occupancy

Parking Requirements:

Minimum off-street parking: maximum occupancy divided by 4
Maximum of 4 cars may be parked at any given short-term vacation rental property at one time

Responsible Party Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Available 24/7 at listed phone number
Available to address issues at property within 2 hours
Authorized to receive legal notice on behalf of owner
Must monitor property weekly for compliance
May be property owner or licensed agent

Posting Requirements:

Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate must be posted facing outside in window closest to front door
Single page document at back of or next to main entrance door or on refrigerator containing:
- Responsible Party contact information
- Maximum occupancy
- Quiet hours (10:00 PM - 7:00 AM daily)
- Maximum number of vehicles and parking location
- Schedule of solid waste and recycling pickup
- Sea turtle nesting season restrictions and lighting usage (as applicable)
- Emergency numbers for local police and fire
- Location of nearest hospital

County-Level Regulations (Duval County)

Business Tax Requirements:

Annual local business tax receipt required
Compliance with county safety measurements and guidelines
Tourist development tax collection and remittance

State-Level Regulations (Florida)

Safety Standards:

Compliance with Florida Fire Prevention Code
Adherence to Florida Building Code
Meeting Section 509.215, Florida Statutes requirements
Compliance with Chapters 61C and 69A, Florida Administrative Code

Tax Obligations:

State sales tax (6% rate)
Florida Discretionary Sales Surtax (varies 0.5% to 1.5%)
Local county tourist development taxes

Homestead Exemption Impact

Short-term rental operations may affect homestead exemption eligibility
Owner-occupied dwellings renting 50% or less are exempt from STR regulations
Consultation with tax professional recommended regarding exemption implications

Fees and Costs

City of Jacksonville Beach Fees

Initial Registration Certificate: $150
Registration Certificate Transfer of Ownership: $150
Registration Certificate Modification: $150

County Fees

Local Business Tax Receipt: $79.20 annually

State Fees

DBPR License fees vary (consult state website)
Sales tax registration fees vary

Contact Information

City of Jacksonville Beach

Planning & Development Department

Address: 11 North Third Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: 904-247-6100
Email: STVR@JAXBCHFL.NET
Contact for: Short-term vacation rental certificates, application questions, compliance issues

Fire Marshal's Office

Contact: For inspection scheduling and safety requirements
Note: Inspections conducted by appointment only
Failure to provide access at scheduled time results in $100 "no show" fee

Duval County

Tax Collector

Website: taxcollector.jacksonville.gov
Contact for: Local Business Tax Receipts
Tourist Tax: TouristTax@coj.net

State of Florida

Department of Revenue

Website: floridarevenue.com
Contact for: Sales tax registration and remittance

Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Website: myfloridalicense.com
Contact for: Vacation rental licenses

Application and Compliance Timeline

Annual Renewal Deadline: October 1st of each calendar year Inspection Requirements: Prior to initial issuance and modifications Response Time for Inquiries: 5-7 business days

Enforcement and Penalties

Code Violations: Report through online service request system No Show Fee: $100 for failed inspection appointments Incomplete Applications: Not accepted

Important Notes for Investors

Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance: Properties must comply with city, county, and state regulations simultaneously
Transfer Requirements: Certificate is non-transferable between owners; new ownership requires transfer certificate
Weekly Monitoring: Responsible Party must monitor property weekly for compliance
Legal Notice Authority: Responsible Party must be authorized to receive legal notices on behalf of owner
Documentation Availability: Responsible Party must be able to produce executed rental agreements for current occupants

Source Links

Jacksonville Beach Short-Term Vacation Rentals: jacksonvillebeach.org/394/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals
Application Packet: jacksonvillebeach.org/DocumentCenter/View/1437/Short-Term-Vacation-Rental-Certificate-Application-Packet
Airbnb Jacksonville Guide: www.airbnb.com/help/article/3350
Steadily Jacksonville STR Guide: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-regulations-jacksonville

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on available sources. Regulations may change, and investors should consult with legal and tax professionals to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach sits on a narrow barrier island in northeast Florida, part of Duval County and within the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area. The city has a population of roughly 23,000 residents and carries a casual, sun-soaked character shaped by its Atlantic shoreline, surf culture, and a compact beachfront district of restaurants, bars, and small hotels. It is best known as a laid-back coastal escape and serves as a convenient gateway to both the urban amenities of Jacksonville and the historic sites clustered along the First Coast. Downtown Jacksonville lies approximately fifteen to twenty miles to the northwest, generally reachable in around twenty-five minutes by car.

A natural starting point for any visit is the city's namesake shoreline, where a wide stretch of sand runs alongside the historic Jacksonville Beach Pier. The pier extends several hundred feet into the Atlantic and draws anglers, walkers, and photographers year-round, while surfers frequent the breaks nearby. The surrounding beachfront gives the area its relaxed resort feel and makes the sand and surf feel like part of everyday life. Just a few minutes north of the city center, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park offers more than a mile of additional beachfront combined with shaded campgrounds, small freshwater lakes, and miles of multi-use trails, making it a popular spot for swimming, biking, and picnicking away from the busier main beach.

A short drive inland and to the north brings visitors to Fort Caroline National Memorial, a unit of the National Park Service that interprets the sixteenth-century French attempt to colonize the region. The memorial sits along the St. Johns River roughly twenty-five minutes from Jacksonville Beach and includes walking trails, a visitor center, and reconstructed earthworks overlooking the water. It offers a quiet, leafy counterpoint to the sun-and-surf rhythm of the coast and appeals to travelers interested in early American history. Further south, about an hour's drive down the coast, the historic city of St. Augustine anchors the region with its colonial-era streets, the Castillo de San Marcos fort, and a lively downtown of galleries and restaurants. Many day-trippers from Jacksonville Beach make the journey for the history alone.

For short-term-rental owners and guests alike, Jacksonville Beach offers a compelling mix of beach-town atmosphere, easy regional access, and year-round appeal. Its proximity to a major airport, downtown Jacksonville, and well-known day-trip destinations like Fort Caroline and St. Augustine gives it a broad draw for families, couples, and remote workers seeking a coastal base with plenty to do in every direction. The combination of a walkable downtown, dependable surf, and a warm climate through most of the year keeps the area active across multiple seasons, supporting steady demand for well-located rental properties.