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Zephyrhills

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Zephyrhills, FL

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STR Regulations for Zephyrhills, Florida

Overview and Direct Answer: Are STRs allowed in Zephyrhills?

  • Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Zephyrhills. The city’s own FAQ and permitting portal are fully active, and you will routinely interact with City Hall for building permits, planning/zoning confirmations, and business tax receipt (BTR) issuance. No city-specific STR ban or prohibition was found in the content provided. Operators must follow Florida’s state-level licensing and Pasco County’s administrative requirements (including a county Business Tax Receipt). STRs must also comply with local zoning and life-safety rules.

How to start a short-term rental business in Zephyrhills

  1. Confirm zoning and use
  • Call the Planning Department at 813-780-0006 to verify that your property’s zoning permits transient rentals (rentals under 30 days).
  • If the property is in a historic district or within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area, design standards or Certificates of Appropriateness may apply; the City Historic Preservation Officer can advise at 813-780-0002.
  1. Select the appropriate license structure
  • Florida law (Chapter 509, F.S.) requires either:
    • Florida Vacation Rental License (DBPR), or
    • Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants public lodging establishment registration (for rentals offered to the public).
  1. Obtain your Pasco County Business Tax Receipt (BTR)
  • Pasco County requires a BTR for operating a business. STRs fall under this requirement.
  • Contact: Pasco County Tax Collector’s Business Tax Receipt office (see contact section). Renewal is annual.
  1. Apply for building permits and life-safety requirements as applicable
  • Zephyrhills uses an online portal for permits: zephyrhillsfl-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home
  • If you’re converting a structure into a rental, confirm whether a building permit or inspections are required under Florida Building Code standards. For example, pools/spas, alterations, or structural changes typically require permits and inspections.
  • Building Department: 813-780-0020
  1. Complete Florida sales and local taxes
  • Florida State Sales Tax (6%) applies to most STR transactions.
  • If the property is subject to Pasco County’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT; commonly 5% on transient rentals), you must register and collect it. The rate is set by county ordinance; confirm the current rate and applicability with the Pasco County Tax Collector and/or Tax Collector’s public lodging/TDT unit.
  • Online registration and remittance may be available via the Pasco County Tax Collector; see contact section.
  1. Set up occupancy, life safety, and compliance
  • Verify maximum occupancy limits with the Building Department and Fire Marshal’s office.
  • Install required smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and any life-safety equipment required by code.
  • Post required information inside the rental: local contact person, quiet hours, parking rules, trash/recycling schedule, and emergency contacts.
  1. File business records and maintain compliance
  • Maintain guest logs, reservation records, and tax remittances.
  • Comply with local noise, parking, trash, and occupancy standards enforced by Code Enforcement and the Police Department.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines State of Florida

  • Vacation Rental License (DBPR) or Public Lodging Establishment Registration (Division of Hotels and Restaurants), per Chapter 509, F.S.
  • Florida State Sales Tax registration and monthly/quarterly returns (6%).
  • Tourist Development Tax registration and returns if your property is subject to Pasco County TDT (commonly 5% for transient rentals).

Pasco County

  • Pasco County Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for the STR business.
  • Tourist Development Tax (TDT) registration and remittance if applicable to your property.
  • Compliance with county zoning and any fire/life-safety requirements for transient accommodations.

City of Zephyrhills

  • Confirm zoning/land use for STR with the Planning Department (813-780-0006).
  • Building permits and inspections if any structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or life-safety work is performed; call 813-780-0020 or apply via the online portal: zephyrhillsfl-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home
  • If your property is in a historic district, obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before pulling permits (Historic Preservation Officer: 813-780-0002).
  • If the property is in the CRA, ensure compliance with CRA design standards.

Operational rules and standards

  • Local ordinances regarding noise, trash/recycling pickup schedules, parking, and occupancy must be followed. The City of Zephyrhills Code of Ordinances is publicly available via American Legal Publishing on the City’s website. Review zoning, quiet hours, parking restrictions, and any life-safety or public health rules that apply.
  • For properties requiring public lodging licensing (e.g., if classified as such by the state), comply with the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants public lodging rules.

Specific regulations affecting STRs in Zephyrhills, Pasco County, and Florida

  • Florida Statutes (Chapter 509): Establishes licensing and registration for vacation rentals/public lodging; sets the framework for inspections, operator responsibilities, and tax collection obligations.
  • State Sales Tax (6%): Applies to most short-term rentals. Register and remit through Florida’s revenue systems.
  • Tourist Development Tax (TDT): Applies to transient rentals in many Florida counties, including Pasco County; commonly 5% for transient rentals (check current rate and applicability with the Pasco County Tax Collector).
  • Pasco County Business Tax Receipt (BTR): Required to operate a business in the county; renew annually.
  • Zephyrhills Zoning and Planning: STRs are allowed if the property’s zoning permits transient rentals. Verify eligibility with Planning (813-780-0006). CRA and Historic Districts impose additional design/standards, and COAs may be required.
  • Florida Building Code: Governs construction, life safety, and inspections. Any alterations or installations (e.g., pools, kitchens, safety equipment) may trigger permitting and inspections.
  • Local life-safety and community standards: Adhere to occupancy, noise, parking, and trash/recycling rules enforced by the City. Code Enforcement and the Police Department respond to violations.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs) City of Zephyrhills

  • City Hall / Mayor’s Office: 813-780-0000
  • Building Department (Permits/Inspections): 813-780-0020
  • Planning Department (Zoning/FLU, COA, CRA): 813-780-0006
  • Historic Preservation Officer: 813-780-0002
  • Code Enforcement: 813-780-0020 or submit a complaint via the City’s Code Enforcement portal
  • Police Department (non-emergency): 813-780-0050
  • Utility Billing (for water service and account setup): 813-780-0015
  • Online permitting portal: zephyrhillsfl-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home

Pasco County

  • Business Tax Receipts (BTR) and Tourist Development Tax (TDT): Pasco County Tax Collector. Phone and email vary by office; ask for the Business Tax Receipt office and TDT/public lodging registration. Main Tax Collector line: 813-235-6076 (verify BTR and TDT units as needed).
  • Zoning and Site Development Department: 727-847-8132
  • Animal Services (Pasco County, contracted by Zephyrhills): 813-929-1212

State of Florida

  • DBPR Vacation Rental Licensing: 850-487-1395
  • Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Public Lodging): 850-487-1885
  • Florida Department of Revenue (Sales Tax, TDT where administered): 850-488-2900

Important links and source pages

Notes for investors

  • Zephyrhills does not publish a city-specific STR ordinance in the provided content. As a result, state-level Florida rules and Pasco County requirements drive compliance. Always verify zoning and land use directly with Planning (813-780-0006) and, if the property is historic, with the Historic Preservation Officer (813-780-0002).
  • TDT rates and applicability can differ across counties and property types. Confirm Pasco’s current TDT rate and your property’s status with the Tax Collector before launching.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Zephyrhills?

Zephyrhills hosts earn a median $26,146/year with $123 ADR and 72% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,418+ per year.

See the full Zephyrhills market breakdown

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Zephyrhills

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
9/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
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Photos of Zephyrhills

Overview of Zephyrhills

Zephyrhills is a small city in Pasco County, in west-central Florida, with a population of roughly 30,000 residents. The city sits about 30 miles northeast of Tampa, placing it within easy reach of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area while maintaining a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere. Zephyrhills is best known as the home of Zephyrhills Spring Water, bottled from nearby Crystal Springs, and as the "Skydive City" of the United States, drawing adrenaline enthusiasts from across the country. The town also has a strong antique-shopping tradition, with a walkable downtown full of vintage stores, cafés, and small galleries that give it a charming, nostalgic feel. Its mild winters and central-Florida location make it a popular base for visitors exploring the broader region.

One of the area's most beloved natural escapes is Hillsborough River State Park, located about 15 miles southwest of Zephyrhills. The park follows the Hillsborough River through oak and cypress hammocks and offers hiking trails, a swimming area, picnic pavilions, and a replica of Fort Foster, a historic 19th-century military outpost. It's a quick 20- to 25-minute drive from Zephyrhills and provides a peaceful alternative to the busier tourist corridors of the Tampa Bay region.

Another major draw is the city's thriving skydiving scene, anchored by operations at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Skydive City has helped establish the town as one of the premier skydiving destinations in the country, attracting both first-timers and experienced jumpers. Visitors can take tandem jumps, attend training camps, or simply watch the action from designated viewing areas, and the skydiving community hosts events throughout the year that bring additional visitors to the area.

Just a short drive south, the broader Tampa Bay region opens up additional possibilities. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, about 35 miles from Zephyrhills, combines a major theme park with African-themed animal exhibits, while the city of Tampa itself offers the Florida Aquarium, the Ybor City historic district, and professional sports venues. To the north, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, roughly an hour's drive away, is famous for its underwater mermaid shows and crystal-clear springs. Both directions make Zephyrhills a convenient inland home base for travelers who want variety without the higher costs and crowds of the coastal cities.

With its affordable accommodations, central location, and unique mix of outdoor recreation and quirky local culture, Zephyrhills offers short-term rental owners a market that appeals to skydivers, nature lovers, antique hunters, and visitors looking for an alternative to staying directly in the Tampa area.

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