Mary Esther, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Mary Esther, Florida. The City Council passed Ordinance 2024-01 on March 4, 2024, establishing a regulatory framework for "vacation rentals" within city limits. This ordinance, which aligns with state law (Florida Statutes Chapter 509), permits STRs but mandates strict registration, compliance, and operational standards to mitigate impacts on residential neighborhoods. The regulations became effective on October 1, 2024.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Mary Esther

Secure a State License: All vacation rentals are classified as "transient public lodging establishments" under Florida law. A vacation rental license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is mandatory. Begin the application process at myfloridalicense.com.
Obtain a City Certificate of Registration: Apply for a City of Mary Esther Vacation Rental Certificate of Registration. Applications must be submitted by August 1 for initial registration, with the certificate valid from October 1 to September 30 annually. The application process is detailed in the "Required Documents" section below.
Designate a Responsible Party: A critical requirement is appointing a "Designated Responsible Party" who must be available 24/7 and able to respond to issues within one hour.
Remit Required Taxes: You are responsible for collecting and remitting state sales tax and the local Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for Okaloosa County. The TDT is remitted to the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts. Registration for TDT is done online at okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com.
Post Required Information: Once approved, you must post the Certificate of Registration inside the primary door of the rental property.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State Requirements (DBPR):
- Vacation Rental License (DBPR Form VRTSP or equivalent).
County Requirements (Okaloosa):
- Registration and payment of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax (5%).
City Requirements (Mary Esther - Ordinance 2024-01):
1. Completed application for a Vacation Rental Certificate of Registration (supplied by the City).
2. Proof of current ownership of the vacation rental property.
3. Payment of the annual registration fee (fee schedule set by City Council resolution).
4. Completed "Designation of Responsible Party" form.
5. A signed acknowledgment form from the Designated Responsible Party.
6. Copy of the City of Mary Esther local business tax receipt.
7. Copy of the current, active State of Florida DBPR vacation rental license.
8. Statement identifying the gross floor area and maximum occupancy per the Florida Fire Prevention Code (150 sq ft gross floor area per person).
9. If applying via an agent, a letter of authorization from the owner.
10. Any other information reasonably requested by the City.
Additional Guidelines:
- Okaloosa Island: If your property is on Okaloosa Island, you must also comply with the Okaloosa Island Protective Covenants and Zone B-1 restrictions. Contact the Okaloosa County Growth Management office at 850-651-7180 or visit myokaloosa.com/gm/home.
- Homestead Exemption: If the property is not your permanent residence, you are likely not eligible for a homestead exemption. Failing to remove it could result in significant back taxes. Consult the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser at (850) 651-7240 or okaloosapa.com.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Mary Esther (Ordinance 2024-01):
- Registration & Certificate: Mandatory annual registration. A separate certificate is required for each property.
- Occupancy Limits: Maximum occupancy is governed by the Florida Fire Prevention Code (currently, 150 sq ft per person). This must be stated on the registration form and the certificate.
- Designated Responsible Party: Must be available 24/7 by phone and able to respond to issues within 1 hour. Must keep a register of all occupants for at least 2 years and have authority to remove unruly guests (per F.S. 509.141-143).
- Posting Requirements: The Certificate of Registration must be posted next to or on the interior side of the primary door.
- Advertising: Advertising must not imply occupancy exceeding the registered maximum. Doing so is a violation.
- Inspections: The responsible party must consent to allow official code, fire, and building inspectors access for required inspections.
- Violations & Penalties: Violations (including renting without a certificate, exceeding occupancy, false information) result in fines. Each day of violation is a separate offense. Repeated violations can lead to suspension of the certificate for up to 90 days or permanent revocation.
Okaloosa County (Tourist Development Tax):
- The TDT (5%) is in addition to the state sales tax (6%) and is applicable to all rentals of six months or less. Registration and payment are handled online.
State of Florida (Chapter 509, F.S.):
- A "vacation rental" is any unit meeting the definition (e.g., single-family up to a four-family dwelling) that is offered for rent more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days.
- State law (SB 280, passed in 2024) sets a statewide framework, including a prohibition on cities regulating the duration or frequency of stays, a $500 cap on fines, a requirement for a 24/7 response contact, and the allowance for a "reasonable" registration fee. Mary Esther's ordinance incorporates these rules.

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Mary Esther (for Certificate of Registration):
- Interim City Clerk: Dillon Morris
- Phone: 850-582-5166
- Website: Mary Esther City Hall (Check the "City Council" or "Ordinances" sections for relevant documents and updates).
Okaloosa County Growth Management (for Okaloosa Island Covenants & Zoning):
- Phone: 850-651-7180
- Website: Growth Management Department
Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts (for Tourist Development Tax):
- Email: TouristTax@OkaloosaClerk.com
- Phone: 850-651-7200 x3492
- Website: Tourist Development Tax
- Online Registration & Remittance: okaloosatouristtax.munirevs.com
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) (for State License):
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: DBPR Hotel & Restaurant Licensing
Complaints & Enforcement:
- Law Enforcement (non-emergency): Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office: 850-651-7400
- Complaints against lodging establishments (including STRs): Florida DBPR: 850-487-1395 (or submit the HR-7003 form online).

Links to Source Pages

Okaloosa County Short-Term Rental Information
City of Mary Esther Vacation Rental Ordinance (Ordinance 2024-01)
News Report on Mary Esther's Proposed STR Ordinance
Fort Walton Beach Proposed STR Regulations (for broader county context) (This source provides additional regional context but is not specific to Mary Esther. The Mary Esther ordinance is the definitive source for city regulations).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Mary Esther?

Mary Esther hosts earn a median $24,995/year with $187 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $35,199+ per year.

See the full Mary Esther market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Mary Esther

Mary Esther is a small coastal city in Okaloosa County, Florida, situated along the state's panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico. With a population of roughly 4,000 residents, the city has a quiet, residential character that contrasts with the busier beach communities surrounding it. Best known as a gateway to the white-sand shores of the Emerald Coast, Mary Esther sits between Fort Walton Beach to the east and Navarre to the west, just a short drive from the larger Destin area. The nearest major city is Pensacola, located approximately 45 miles to the west, while Panama City lies roughly 75 miles to the east along the coastal highway.

The most prominent attraction in the immediate area is the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which stretches across several barrier islands along the Florida Panhandle. The Santa Rosa section of the seashore, including Opal Beach and Fort Pickens, is within easy reach of Mary Esther, with most access points reachable within 30 to 45 minutes by car. The park is well known for its pristine white quartz-sand beaches, historic fortifications, and undeveloped coastal landscapes, drawing visitors seeking a quieter alternative to the more developed beachfronts of Destin.

Just east of Mary Esther, the city of Fort Walton Beach offers the Indian Temple Mound Museum, a small but historically significant site that preserves artifacts from the Mississippian-era Native American culture that inhabited the region long before European contact. The museum sits along the waterfront in downtown Fort Walton Beach, only about 10 minutes from Mary Esther, and provides a window into the area's pre-Columbian history alongside rotating exhibits of regional archaeology.

To the east, Henderson Beach State Park in Destin is a popular stop for visitors wanting to experience some of the Gulf Coast's most photographed shoreline. The park features more than a mile of undeveloped beachfront, dune habitats, and nature trails, and is roughly 15 to 20 minutes from Mary Esther by car. The nearby Destin Harbor and the popular Crab Island sandbar also draw large crowds of boaters and beachgoers during the warmer months.

A short drive to the west leads to Navarre Beach, a quieter stretch of barrier island that forms part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Navarre Beach is known for its laid-back atmosphere, long fishing pier, and relatively uncrowded sands, and it sits about 15 minutes from Mary Esther. The combination of soft white beaches, calm Gulf waters, and proximity to military attractions like the Air Force Armament Museum makes the broader region a versatile vacation base.

Mary Esther's appeal for short-term rental investors lies in its strategic location within the Emerald Coast tourism corridor. While the city itself remains largely residential, it offers quick access to the beaches, parks, and attractions that draw visitors to this part of the Florida Panhandle year after year. The proximity to Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base also brings a steady stream of military families, temporary-duty personnel, and visiting relatives, supplementing the leisure travel market. With Pensacola, Destin, and Navarre all within a short drive, Mary Esther functions as a quiet, well-connected home base from which guests can explore some of the Gulf Coast's most rewarding destinations.