Wellington, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Wellington, FL. The Village permits vacation rentals under a regulated framework that requires both a Vacation Rental Permit and a Business Tax Receipt. Wellington implemented its current vacation rental program on March 1, 2024, under Ordinance No. 2023-13, establishing a comprehensive regulatory structure while maintaining the ability for property owners to operate short-term rentals.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Wellington?

Wellington hosts earn a median $34,097/year with $230 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $53,140+ per year.

See the full Wellington market breakdown

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

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Obtain a Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

Submit a rental property BTR application
Required for all property owners leasing or renting residential dwelling units for any duration
Contact BTR@Wellingtonfl.gov for processing or submit in person at Village Hall

Step 2: Acquire Human Trafficking Prevention Certificate

Complete mandatory training and obtain certification
Required documentation for all vacation rental operations

Step 3: Apply for Vacation Rental Special Use Permit

Fee: $600 per unit (non-refundable, one-time payment)
Permit is not currently required to be renewed and is not transferable
Apply through Wellington's Citizen Self Service Portal
Processing includes administrative review and invoice generation within 2-3 business days

Step 4: Ensure Property Compliance

Verify all property standards meet Wellington's vacation rental guidelines
Confirm parking, occupancy, and property maintenance capabilities

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Permits and Licenses

Business Tax Receipt (BTR)
- Required for all rental properties (long-term and short-term)
- Annual renewal required
Vacation Rental Special Use Permit
- $600 fee per unit
- One-time permit (non-renewable, non-transferable)
- Governed under Article 6 of Wellington's Land Development Regulations
Human Trafficking Prevention Certificate
- Mandatory training completion required
- Must be provided with permit application

Required Documentation

Property owner's driver's license
Proof of ownership from Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Issued BTR copy
Human Trafficking prevention certificate
Fictitious Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)

Submittal Requirements

Completed applications and documents can be submitted via:

Email: BTR@Wellingtonfl.gov
Mail: Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, FL 33414
In-person: Village Hall, Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Maximum Occupancy

Overnight occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom (excluding children under age 3)
Daytime occupancy: Maximum overnight occupancy plus 4 (excluding children under age 3)
Overnight period: Defined as 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM

Parking Regulations

Standard rule: 1 vehicle per bedroom, maximum 4 vehicles
Large properties: Vacation rentals with more than 4 bedrooms on parcels ≥1 acre may park 1 additional vehicle per bedroom over 4
Location requirements: All vehicles must park on approved off-street parking or driveway
Prohibited parking: Swales, lawns, landscape areas, public right-of-way, or sidewalks

Property Maintenance Standards

Yard Maintenance:

Maintain landscaping in healthy, neat, and orderly appearance
Keep grass, weeds, and underbrush under 6 inches in height
Maintain landscaping free from disease, pests, weeds, and litter
Regular maintenance includes weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, edging, mulching

Garbage Collection:

Place containers curbside no earlier than 6:00 PM the day before pickup
Remove containers no later than 11:00 PM on pickup day
Store containers indoors or in screened rear/side yard areas
Collection service information available at Wellington FL Garbage page

Bulk Collection:

Place bulk trash 24 hours prior to collection day
Limit: 4 cubic yards (equivalent to small pickup truck bed)
Cut items to less than 6 feet in length
Place at least 3 feet from other objects

Noise Regulations

Prohibition on loud speakers, sound amplifiers, radios, televisions, phonographs, musical instruments when plainly audible across property lines
Applies to inhabited residential land at any time
Enforced 24/7 through complaint hotline

Pet Regulations

Pets must be secured within property lines or on leash (not tethered)
Continual nuisance barking prohibited

Enforcement and Penalties

Daily Fines: $125 per day for violations Suspension/Revocation: Permits may be suspended or revoked for:

Repeated violations
Cases involving injury, drugs, or prostitution
Underage drinking incidents (allow faster action for these cases)

Citation Process:

Officials may issue citations without prior warning
Citations may be served through certified mail
Local responsible party may accept citations on behalf of property owners

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts

Village of Wellington - Planning, Zoning & Building Department

Physical Address: 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: 561-791-4000 or 561-363-7905
Email: vacationrentals@wellingtonfl.gov
Business Tax Receipt Email: BTR@Wellingtonfl.gov

24/7 Complaint Hotline

Phone: 561-486-9022

Code Compliance

Email: code@wellingtonfl.gov
Phone: 561-791-4000 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM)

Emergency Services

9-1-1: For suspected illegal activities or emergencies
PBSO Non-Emergency: 561-688-3400

Application Portal

Citizen Self Service: WellingtonFL-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService

Source Pages and References

Official Village Documents

Vacation Rentals Page: www.wellingtonfl.gov/2133/Vacation-Rentals
Rental Properties Requirements: www.wellingtonfl.gov/1046/Rental-Properties
Application Forms: www.wellingtonfl.gov/formcenter/planning-zoning-5/planning-zoning-forms-applications-reque-48
Citizen Self Service Portal: wellingtonfl-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home
Human Trafficking Certificate: fateht.vidcert.com/register

News Coverage and Community Discussion

Town-Crier Article (November 2023): gotowncrier.com/2023/11/wellington-tightens-rules-on-vacation-rentals/
Airbnb Community Forum Discussion: community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help-with-your-business/Wellington-Florida-Limits-Short-Term-Rentals-under-31-Days/m-p/1373841

Important Clarification on Airbnb Platform Issues

The provided community forum discussion (2020) reveals that Airbnb temporarily restricted Wellington listings to 31+ day stays due to a platform misunderstanding. Wellington Village Attorney Laurie Cohen clarified in a letter that Wellington's ordinance does not place limitations on vacation rental duration or frequency, and Airbnb's restriction was based on misinterpretation of local regulations. This issue was resolved, and short-term rentals remain permitted within Wellington's regulatory framework.

This guide reflects regulations current as of March 2024. Property owners should verify current requirements with Wellington's Planning, Zoning & Building Department before initiating operations.

Next step

Found a property in Wellington?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Wellington

Wellington is a village in Palm Beach County, Florida, home to approximately 62,000 residents. It sits roughly 15 to 20 miles west of West Palm Beach, the nearest major city, and lies within the broader South Florida metropolitan corridor that stretches south toward Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The community is internationally recognized for its equestrian culture, anchored by the Winter Equestrian Festival, which each year draws some of the world's top riders, trainers, and horses to the area. Beyond its equestrian reputation, Wellington is known for its master-planned neighborhoods, generous lot sizes, and a relaxed suburban atmosphere that contrasts with the denser, more urbanized coastal cities to the east.

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, located in the heart of Wellington, hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as year-round competitions and is considered one of the most important equestrian venues in the country. From mid-January through early April, the show grounds buzz with show jumping, dressage, and hunter competitions, transforming the village into an international hub of equestrian sport. The event draws a large international crowd of spectators and participants, making it the community's most prominent seasonal draw and a major economic engine.

The International Polo Club Palm Beach, situated within Wellington, hosts high-goal polo matches during the winter season, including the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. Open-air grandstands, tailgating, and the tradition of divot-stomping at halftime make attending a match a distinctive South Florida experience, and the club's January-through-April calendar adds another layer of seasonal energy to the community.

About 15 minutes north of Wellington in Loxahatchee, Lion Country Safari offers a drive-through safari experience where visitors can observe lions, giraffes, rhinos, and other animals from their own vehicles, followed by a walk-through amusement and water park area. The attraction is a popular family-friendly day trip and provides a counterpoint to the polished equestrian venues that define Wellington's identity.

Closer to home, the Wellington Environmental Preserve offers more than 365 acres of protected pine flatwoods, wetlands, and walking trails on the village's eastern edge. With boardwalks, observation points, and a healthy population of wading birds, it provides a quick nature escape for residents and visitors who want a low-key outdoor experience without leaving town.

Wellington makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because of the unique seasonal rhythm it offers. Winter brings a steady stream of equestrian enthusiasts, polo fans, and snowbird travelers seeking warm-weather competition and recreation, while the village's proximity to West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach coastline, and the natural areas of western Palm Beach County ensures year-round appeal. The combination of international sporting events, family-friendly attractions, and easy access to both the Atlantic coast and the Everglades gives owners and guests a remarkably varied set of experiences within a small, easily navigable area.