Key West, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Key West, Florida, but under strict regulations and zoning restrictions. Short-term rentals are officially termed "vacation rentals" in Key West and Monroe County regulations. Properties can only be rented for 28 days or less (transient rentals), and operation is limited to specific zoning districts. The city has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework to balance tourism economic benefits with residential neighborhood preservation.

Critical restrictions include:

28-day minimum stay requirement
Limited to designated zoning districts only
Annual permit requirements
Business tax receipt obligations
Fire and life safety inspections

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Key West?

Key West hosts earn a median $61,335/year with $372 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $100,725+ per year.

See the full Key West market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Key West

Step 1: Verify Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding, confirm your property location allows vacation rental operation:

Allowed Districts (require Special Vacation Rental Permit):

SR (Suburban Residential)
MU (Mixed Use)
UR (Urban Residential)
IS-V (Improved Subdivision Vacation Rental)
OS (Offshore Islands)

Prohibited Districts:

IS (Improved Subdivision)
URM (Urban Residential Mobile Home)
IS-M (Improved Subdivision Masonry)

Verification Resources:

Monroe County Vacation Rental Map Restrictions
Contact Key West Planning Department: (305) 809-3720
Email: planning@cityofkeywest-fl.gov

Step 2: Obtain Required Permits and Licenses

A. Special Vacation Rental Permit (Monroe County)

Initial Application Fee: $490 Annual Renewal Fee: $100 Application Links:

B. Special Vacation Rental Manager License

Application Fee: $110 Required for: Each vacation rental unit must have a licensed manager Application Link: Manager License Application

C. Business Tax Receipts

City of Key West Business Tax Receipt

Required for all residential rental properties
Contact: (305) 809-3955
Email: licensing@cityofkeywest-fl.gov

Monroe County Business Tax Receipt

Required for all rentals (long-term and short-term)
Phone: (305) 295-5000
Email: taxcollector@monroecounty-fl.gov
Website: Monroe Tax Collector

Step 3: Complete Fire and Life Safety Inspection

Required for: Both initial and renewal permits Inspection Fees:

1 Bedroom: $100
2-3 Bedrooms: $200
4+ Bedrooms: $300
Re-inspection fees: Base + $50 (after 3rd inspection)

Inspection Request: Fire and Life Safety Inspection Request

Step 4: Register for Tax Collection

Total Lodging Tax Rate: 11%

Florida State Sales Tax: 6%
Monroe County Tourist Development Tax: 5%

Registration Required With:

Monroe County Tax Collector: (305) 295-5000
Florida Department of Revenue: (850) 488-6800

Filing Requirements:

Monthly reporting and payments
Due by the 20th of each month for previous month's rentals

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Mandatory Documents and Permits:

Special Vacation Rental Permit (annual renewal required)
Special Vacation Rental Manager License
City of Key West Business Tax Receipt
Monroe County Business Tax Receipt
Fire and Life Safety Inspection Certificate
Florida Department of Revenue Sales Tax ID
Property ownership proof
Floor plan indicating guest areas
Zoning compliance approval

Insurance Requirements:

Liability insurance coverage is strongly recommended and likely required
Must protect against potential damages or injuries on rental property

Advertising Compliance:

All advertisements must reflect 28-day minimum stay requirement
Monthly rates must be displayed
All rentals must be for 28+ consecutive days to the same tenant

Specific Regulations: Key West, Monroe County, and Florida

Key West Municipal Regulations:

Transient rentals (28 days or less) require state licensing
Non-transient rentals (29+ days) prohibited for transient use
Business Tax Receipt fees range from $23.15 to $1,530 annually
Most businesses average $118-$300 annually
Building and housing standards apply per Chapter 14 of Key West Code
Performance standards include occupancy limits and designated contact person

Monroe County Regulations:

28-day minimum stay requirement strictly enforced
Zoning restrictions determine eligibility
Annual permit renewal required
Non-transferable permits between property owners
Change of ownership requires new permit application
Active code enforcement with violations reporting system

Florida State Regulations:

Sales tax registration required through Florida DOR
Tourist taxes apply to rentals 6 months or less
State professional licensing may be required for certain businesses
Building and safety standards compliance mandatory

Occupancy Limits:

Determined by property size and configuration
Follow local regulations and building codes
Specific limits established in zoning ordinances

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Monroe County (Primary STR Authority)

Planning & Environmental Resources Department

Phone: (305) 294-4641 (Main) / (305) 292-4500 (Planning)
Email: ballard-lindsey@monroecounty-fl.gov
Address: 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
Website: Monroe County STR Program

Fire Marshal's Office (Inspections)

Contact through Monroe County Fire Rescue
Inspection scheduling through online portal

Tax Collector

Phone: (305) 295-5000
Email: taxcollector@monroecounty-fl.gov
Website: Monroe County Tax Collector

City of Key West

Licensing Division

Phone: (305) 809-3955
Email: licensing@cityofkeywest-fl.gov
Address: 1300 White Street, Key West, FL 33040

Planning Department

Phone: (305) 809-3720
Email: planning@cityofkeywest-fl.gov

Main City Contact

Phone: (305) 809-3945
Email: webmaster@cityofkeywest-fl.gov

State of Florida

Department of Revenue (Sales Tax)

Phone: (850) 488-6800
Website: Florida DOR

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Website: DBPR

Important Source Links

Official Government Sources:

Application Forms:

Additional Resources:

Important Notes for Investors:

Permits are non-transferable between property owners
Annual renewal required for all permits
Active enforcement with potential fines for non-compliance
Zoning compliance must be verified before application
Consider insurance coverage and liability protection
Maintain accurate records for tax reporting and compliance monitoring

This comprehensive regulatory framework requires careful attention to detail, but Key West remains a viable and profitable short-term rental market for compliant operators who follow established procedures and maintain ongoing compliance.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Key West

Key West is a small island city sitting at the southwestern end of the Florida Keys, technically part of Monroe County, Florida, and serving as the county seat. With a year-round population of roughly 25,000 residents, it carries a relaxed, tropical character that feels distinctly different from the mainland, a blend of colorful Conch-republic heritage, fishing-village roots, and a long-standing reputation as a haunt for writers, artists, and travelers. It is best known as the southernmost city in the continental United States and as the western gateway to the Florida Keys, with the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S. just offshore. From Miami, Key West lies about 160 miles to the southwest, a drive of roughly three and a half hours along the Overseas Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the country.

About 70 miles west of Key West, accessible by a roughly two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride or a shorter seaplane hop, lies Dry Tortugas National Park. The park covers a small cluster of islands surrounded by turquoise water, with the centerpiece being the massive 19th-century brick fortress Fort Jefferson, one of the largest masonry structures in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors come for the snorkeling, the birdlife, and the sense of remoteness that comes with reaching a place so far from the mainland.

Back in town, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park sits at the western tip of the island, about a ten-minute drive from most of Old Town. It draws visitors for its beach, which is generally regarded as one of the best in Key West, along with shaded picnic areas, nature trails, and a glimpse of the fort itself, built in the mid-1800s as part of the country's coastal defense system. It is a popular spot for both daytime swimming and sunset-watching away from the busier Mallory Square crowds.

A short walk or bike ride from anywhere in Old Town leads to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the author lived during the 1930s. The Spanish Colonial house, set on lush grounds, is famous for its population of six-toed cats said to descend from Hemingway's own pet. Just down the street, the bright concrete buoy marking the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States is one of the most photographed spots in town, and the surrounding blocks of restored wooden homes, guesthouses, and small cafés capture the easygoing character that keeps visitors returning year after year.

For short-term rental owners, Key West offers a rare combination: a strong year-round tourism base, a domestic and international visitor pipeline flowing straight down the Overseas Highway, and an island setting where limited land and strict local regulations keep supply constrained. Its marquee attractions, from the sunset crowds and Hemingway lore to the bucket-list day trip to Dry Tortugas, give guests a clear reason to book, while the walkable Old Town, the harbor, and the surrounding state parks make almost any well-located property a compelling home base for exploring the southernmost stretch of the country.

Key West, Florida

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Key West, Florida