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Wimauma, FL

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STR Regulations for Wimauma, Florida

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

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Wimauma, Florida, provided your property is located in a zone that permits transient rental accommodations and you obtain the required state and county licenses. Wimauma is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County. As of the sources provided, Hillsborough County does not have a dedicated STR ordinance; short‑term rentals are instead governed by state rules and local zoning controls (e.g., “transient rental accommodations” must be an authorized use in the property’s zoning district). Practically, this means you can rent your property for seven nights or less, but only if your parcel’s zoning permits such use. It is your responsibility to confirm zoning eligibility before listing. Sources: Eaton Realty; AirROI; Hillsborough County Land Development Code.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Wimauma?

Wimauma hosts earn a median $22,562/year with $180 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $40,381+ per year.

See the full Wimauma market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Wimauma

  • Confirm zoning eligibility with Hillsborough County’s Land Development Code (LDC) for your property’s parcel. If the property is not zoned for transient rental accommodations, you cannot legally operate an STR. Violations can result in fines. Source: Hillsborough County LDC; Eaton Realty.
  • If the zoning allows, apply for the required licenses (see Required Documents & Permits below).
  • Collect and remit state sales tax and the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) on every booking. Note: One source states the TDT rate is 5%; verify the current rate with the Tax Collector’s office before operations. Source: StaySTRa.
  • Register your rental listing(s) on your chosen platform(s) (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) and include the business license numbers where required.
  • Comply with any HOA, condo association, or lease restrictions. Your contract can prohibit short‑term rentals even if zoning allows them. Source: Eaton Realty.
  • Renew your state and county licenses annually and maintain tax compliance. Sources: Eaton Realty; Florida DBPR.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Vacation Rental License (also referred to as a general business license or business tax receipt). This is obtained via Florida Revenue’s DR‑1 registration process. Fees vary by unit count and license period, typically $150–$350 per year. Source: Florida Revenue registration; DBPR lodging fee schedule.
  • Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt (local business tax receipt). Apply and pay online, by mail, or via dropbox with the Tax Collector. The license is typically annual. Source: Hillsborough County Tax Collector Business Tax Services.
  • Proof of zoning compliance (or a zoning confirmation for transient rental accommodations) from the Hillsborough County Land Development Office if requested by a platform or tax authority. Source: Hillsborough County LDC.
  • Tourist Development Tax registration with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office (Hillsborough County’s TDT is administered by the Tax Collector). Source: Hillsborough County TDT.
  • Listing disclosures: include your business license numbers on your rental listings as required by platforms and local authorities.
  • Property insurance: maintain coverage appropriate for transient guests.
  • Safety compliance: ensure working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and otherwise comply with life-safety requirements. Source: StaySTRa.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Wimauma, Hillsborough County, and Florida

  • State-level rules (Florida):
    • Short-term rentals are defined as transient rental accommodations (stays of seven days or less). You must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and obtain the appropriate state business license(s). Source: Florida Department of Revenue DR-1 registration; DBPR lodging fee schedule.
    • You must collect and remit state sales tax and any applicable county Tourist Development Tax on gross receipts. Source: Florida Department of Revenue DR-1 registration.
  • County-level rules (Hillsborough County):
    • Hillsborough County does not have a dedicated STR ordinance. STRs are allowed where zoning permits transient rental accommodations. The Land Development Code controls permitted uses, and any activity inconsistent with zoning is subject to enforcement. Source: Hillsborough County LDC; Eaton Realty.
    • Local business tax receipt is required to operate a business in the county. Source: Hillsborough County Tax Collector Business Tax Services.
    • Tourist Development Tax administration is handled by the Tax Collector’s office. One source indicates the current TDT rate is 5%; confirm the rate prior to collecting and remitting. Source: Hillsborough County TDT; StaySTRa.
  • Wimauma (community-specific):
    • Wimauma is within the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. There are no city-level STR ordinances separate from county zoning and state law. Because Wimauma has experienced growth and change, investors should verify zoning and any infrastructure constraints (e.g., sewer/water availability) that could affect the feasibility of STR operations. Source: Wimauma Community Plan (2021 update).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs and Related Agencies)

Key Compliance Reminders and Best Practices for Investors

  • Always confirm zoning first. If your property is not in a zone that explicitly allows transient rental accommodations, you cannot legally list it as an STR. Source: Hillsborough County LDC; Eaton Realty.
  • Obtain both state and county licenses before listing and include the license numbers on your listings. Source: Florida Revenue DR-1 registration; Hillsborough County Tax Collector Business Tax Services.
  • File and remit state sales tax and county TDT on time; maintain organized records for audits. Source: Florida Department of Revenue DR-1 registration; Hillsborough County TDT; StaySTRa.
  • Comply with HOA/condo bylaws and any lease restrictions. These private agreements can prohibit STRs even when zoning permits them. Source: Eaton Realty.
  • Refresh your state and county licenses annually and monitor any changes to the Hillsborough County LDC. Sources: Hillsborough County Tax Collector; Hillsborough County LDC.
  • For Wimauma specifically, consider infrastructure and community context. Although the market shows strong STR growth and low apparent regulatory friction, growth patterns and infrastructure capacity can vary by location within the community. Source: Wimauma Community Plan (2021); AirROI market analysis.

Source Pages (Links)

This guide synthesizes the provided content. For licensing specifics and the current TDT rate, contact the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office and Florida DOR/DBPR directly before opening.

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Wimauma

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Wimauma Market Analysis

Photos of Wimauma

Overview of Wimauma

Wimauma is a small, unincorporated community and census-designated place in southern Hillsborough County, Florida, with a population of roughly 8,000 to 9,000 residents. Long tied to strawberry fields, tomato farms, and citrus groves, it retains a distinctly rural-suburban feel even as new residential development has expanded the surrounding landscape. The community sits about 25 miles southeast of downtown Tampa, with easy access via U.S. Highway 301 and Interstate 75, and it functions as a quiet gateway to the broader Tampa Bay region, the Gulf beaches to the south, and the retirement communities of Sun City Center and Apollo Beach to the north.

Just a few minutes west of Wimauma lies Little Manatee River State Park, a roughly 2,400-acre preserve built around a gently flowing stretch of the Little Manatee River. Paddlers launch kayaks and canoes for slow floats beneath a canopy of oaks and palms, and the park also offers miles of multi-use trails, a swimming area, and family-friendly campgrounds. It is one of the closest natural escapes to Wimauma and a popular spot for hikers, horseback riders, and weekend picnickers.

About 20 minutes northwest, the community of Apollo Beach brings visitors to the edge of Tampa Bay and to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center, where Florida manatees gather in the warm-water outflow of a nearby power plant during the cooler months. The adjacent Apollo Beach Nature Preserve extends the experience with walking trails winding through mangroves and along the bay's shallow flats, making the area a strong complement to Wimauma's inland scenery.

A short drive south on Interstate 75 places the Gulf Coast cities of Bradenton and Sarasota within roughly 40 to 60 minutes, opening up the area's renowned Gulf beaches, downtown dining scenes, and cultural attractions. Northbound, downtown Tampa, the Tampa Riverwalk, and the historic Ybor City district lie about 30 to 45 minutes away, while local produce stands, working farms, and seasonal u-pick operations keep Wimauma's agricultural heritage visible throughout the surrounding countryside.

Wimauma's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from this layering of experiences: a slower, agricultural setting within easy reach of state-park wilderness, bayfront wildlife viewing, and several distinct Gulf Coast destinations. Travelers can spend mornings paddling the Little Manatee, afternoons watching manatees in Apollo Beach, and evenings sampling the restaurants and beaches of Bradenton, Sarasota, or Tampa, all from a single, conveniently central home base.

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