Executive Overview

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Largo, Florida. The City of Largo permits short-term vacation rentals in all future land use designations for residential uses, provided they comply with Section 15.18 of the Comprehensive Development Code. This guide provides investors with comprehensive information on compliance requirements, regulations, and operational procedures for establishing and maintaining a compliant STR business in Largo.

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I. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Largo, FL

Starting an STR in Largo requires a systematic approach with specific inspections and compliance steps. The City emphasizes completing requirements in the proper order to avoid delays.

Step-by-Step Startup Process

1. Pre-Application Assessment

• Verify your property qualifies as a single-family home, duplex, triplex, or quad-plex
• Confirm you intend to rent the property more than three times per calendar year for periods of 30 days or less
• Review the Comprehensive Development Code Section 15.18

2. Schedule Required Inspections

• First Inspection: Community Standards Division compliance inspection (Call: 727-587-6799)
• Second Inspection: Fire Department life safety inspection (Call: 727-587-6740)
• Critical: Inspections must be completed in the specified order; failure to follow this sequence may result in business delays and enforcement consequences

3. Designate Responsible Party

• Designate an individual over 18 years old who must be available 24/7
• Options include: property owner, property management company, or designated person
• Post the name and telephone number on the property's exterior in a visible area, or
• Enroll in the City's alarm decal system through the Police Department

4. Post Required Safety Information

• Complete and post the City's short-term rental internal posting form in a conspicuous location within each rental unit
• Include emergency contact information, safety procedures, and evacuation requirements

5. Fire Safety Compliance

• Contact Largo Fire Rescue to schedule High-Hazard Inspection
• Cost: $100 (prescribed by City's fee ordinance)
• Annual inspection required per Florida Fire Code (Call: 727-587-6714)

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II. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-Level Requirements

Essential Documents:

• [Short-Term Vacation Rental Designated Responsible Party Form](document_center/Permits & Planning/Planning/Applications and Forms/Fillable PDF Applications and Forms/Short-Term Vacation Rental Responsible Party Form.pdf?t=202406250841310)
• Short-Term Rental Requirements document from Fire Rescue
• Internal posting form (available through Community Standards Division)

Inspections Required:

• Community Standards Division compliance inspection
• Fire Department high-hazard inspection (annual requirement)

Posting Requirements:

• External posting of designated responsible party contact information, or alarm decal enrollment
• Internal posting with safety information and emergency procedures

State-Level Requirements

DBPR Licensing:

• Properties meeting the definition of "transient public lodging establishment" require state license
• Compliance with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation requirements

Tax Registration:

• Florida Department of Revenue registration required
• 6% state sales tax on rentals of six months or less
• Local transient rental taxes (Tourist Development Tax) may apply
• Register to collect and remit applicable taxes

Property Standards Compliance

Building and Safety Codes:

• Florida Building Code compliance
• Florida Fire Code compliance
• Florida Life Safety Code compliance
• City Comprehensive Development Code compliance

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III. Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Largo Regulations (Section 15.18)

Property Eligibility:

• Single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quad-plexes
• Individual or collectively owned units
• Must be rented more than three times per calendar year for periods under 30 days

Maximum Occupancy:

• 1 person per 150 gross square feet of permitted, conditioned living space
• Includes all guests regardless of age

Parking Requirements:

• 1 off-street parking space per 3 transient occupants
• Garage spaces count if open/unobstructed and accessible to guests
• On-street parking does not count toward minimum requirements

Life Safety Requirements:

• Fire Extinguisher: Portable multi-purpose dry chemical 2A:10B:C required on each floor
• Swimming Pool Safety: Compliance with Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Chapter 515, F.S.)
• Emergency Information: Internal posting with hospital location and evacuation procedures

Responsible Party Obligations:

• Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
• Must respond directly or through designated agent within 2 hours when notified
• If issues cannot be resolved via telephone, must physically respond to property

Internal Posting Requirements:

• Name and telephone number of designated responsible party
• Maximum occupancy and parking requirements
• Noise, nuisance, and litter compliance requirements
• Trash and recycling pickup schedules
• Nearest hospital location
• Evacuation order compliance statement

Pinellas County Regulations (for Unincorporated Areas)

Certificate of Use Requirements:

• Application Fee: $450 (split into two payments first year)
• Initial Inspection: $150 ($100 re-inspection fee if failed)
• Annual Renewal: $450
• Re-inspection Fee: $100 (required every two years)

Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum 2 guests per bedroom plus up to 2 extra guests in common area
• Total occupancy cannot exceed 10 guests
• All guests counted regardless of age

Parking Standards:

• 1 off-street parking space for every 3 occupants
• Rounded up to next whole number
• Front lawn parking does not count

Noise and Nuisance:

• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily
• Compliance with Pinellas County Noise Ordinance required

Prohibited Structures:

• Sheds without utilities or meeting size requirements
• Campers and recreational vehicles
• Tents
• Unmodified shipping containers

Exemptions:

• Single bedroom rentals in owner-occupied primary residence do not require Certificate of Use
• Owner-occupied accessory dwelling units require Certificate of Use

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IV. Contact Information for Local Authorities

City of Largo Contacts

Community Standards Division (Primary Contact)

• Phone: 727-587-6799
• Primary Use: Compliance inspections, complaints, general STR questions
• Online Reporting: Community Standards Service Request

Building Division

• Phone: 727-586-7488
• Email: building@largo.com
• Use: Building permits, unpermitted construction questions

Fire Department

• Phone: 727-587-6740 (Life Safety Inspections)
• Phone: 727-587-6714 (High-Hazard Inspection Scheduling)
• Email: fire@largo.com
• Use: Fire code questions, safety inspections

Police Department

• Phone: 727-587-6700
• Use: Alarm decal enrollment for responsible party designation

Pinellas County Contacts

Building and Development Review Services

• Address: 440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Phone: (727) 464-3888
• Email: drs-help@pinellas.gov

Certificate of Use and Inspections

• Portal: Pinellas County Access Portal
• Application Instructions: Available through county website
• Inspection Requirements: Downloadable documents provided

Code Enforcement (County)

• Address: 631 Chestnut St., Clearwater, FL 33756
• Phone: (727) 464-4761

Short-Term Rental Hotline (24/7)

• Phone: (727) 353-2436
• Use: Noise complaints, general STR complaints

Sheriff's Office (Noise Complaints)

• Phone: (727) 582-6200
• Use: Noise complaints in unincorporated areas

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V. Source Links and References

Primary Legal Documents

• City of Largo STR Ordinance No. 2019-28
• Largo Comprehensive Development Code Section 15.18
• Pinellas County STR Certificate of Use Program

Application and Form Links

• [Largo STR Responsible Party Form](document_center/Permits & Planning/Planning/Applications and Forms/Fillable PDF Applications and Forms/Short-Term Vacation Rental Responsible Party Form.pdf?t=202406250841310)
• Pinellas County STR Application Portal
• STR Application Instructions
• STR Inspection Requirements
• Owner Affidavit
• Agent Affidavit

Compliance and Safety Resources

• [Short-Term Rental Requirements Document](document_center/Fire Rescue/Short%20term%20rental%20requirements%20NEW.pdf?t=202406251355370)
• Pinellas County STR Inspection Checklist
• Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act
• Florida Building Code

State Resources

• Florida Department of Revenue Tax Information
• DBPR Transient Public Lodging Licensing

Reporting and Complaint Resources

• Largo Online Complaint Form
• Pinellas County STR Complaint Portal
• Code Enforcement Contact

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VI. Additional State-Level Regulations for Florida

DBPR Licensing Requirements: Properties qualifying as "transient public lodging establishments" under Florida law must obtain state licensing through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This includes properties rented to different guests within a 30-day period or more than three times per year.

Sales and Use Tax Obligations:

• State Sales Tax: 6% on accommodations rented for six months or less
• Local Option Taxes: May include Tourist Development Tax, Tourist Impact Tax, and other local assessments
• Registration Required: All operators must register with Florida Department of Revenue
• Remittance: Monthly or quarterly filing requirements based on tax liability

Safety and Building Standards:

• Compliance with current Florida Building Code required
• Fire safety standards per Florida Fire Code
• Pool safety compliance with Chapter 515, F.S.
• Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements

Advertising Requirements:

• State law requires inclusion of the property's official address and host contact information in all advertisements
• Quiet hours and occupancy limits must be clearly stated

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VII. Important Operational Notes for Investors

Inspection Scheduling:

• Both city and county inspections must be scheduled in advance
• Re-inspection fees apply if initial inspections fail
• Annual renewals required with associated fees

Documentation Maintenance:

• Keep all inspection certificates and compliance documents current
• Maintain records of responsible party communications
• Retain proof of tax remittances and business registrations

Neighbor Relations:

• Proactive communication with surrounding property owners recommended
• Establish protocols for addressing guest behavior complaints
• Consider property management services for 24/7 response capabilities

Enforcement Consequences:

• City violations enforced under Chapter 9 of Largo City Code and Chapter 162, F.S.
• County violations subject to Certificate of Use suspension or revocation
• Non-compliance with state requirements may result in business closure

This comprehensive guide provides the framework for establishing and maintaining a compliant short-term rental operation in Largo, Florida. Investors should regularly verify current requirements as regulations may be updated, and consult with local authorities for specific property situations.