Airbnb permits needed in Hillsborough County, Florida

[Mireya2]

Afternoon, could some of the hostess of Hillsborough County, Florida advice me as to what permits or other form I need to complete in order to get my airbnb going?  I have tried searching in the county's website and found nothing.  Do I need to get a permit, if not a permit, do i need anything else from the goverment office before I start??  My address is Tampa, but I am out of city limits.  I am in Hillsborough County  Thank you so very much for any information anyone could give me.  It is really appreciated. 

[Montoia0]

When searching the myfloridalicense.com website I found that a state license is needed only when renting out your entire home.  I have yet to find an insurance agency that will write a homeowner's policy while I am occupying the home and renting the extra rooms though.

[Stephanie563]

 You don't need a homeowner's policy for renting the entire home, you need a rental home policy.  I would highly recommend an umbrella policy as well.  

Mike Hatmaker, at Brightway in Clearwater helped us with a policy.  😃  

[Angie108]

I'm in Pinellas County, Florida, and when I began to rent my guest room through Airbnb, I called the Florida state office of business licenses (after a LONG) search, and was told that "The state of Florida takes no position on Airbnb." 

Later I had a conversation with a code inspector from my county who said that they used to give out permits for airbnb, but no longer do, so he didn't care if I "operated 18 air bnbs" on my property.  He was exaggerating, of course, but his point was that our county does not regulate airbnb activity.  To date. 

I formed an LLC for liability reasons, and took out a liability policy. I'm keeping an eye on upcoming legislation, because some communities (Orlando, I think) have cracked down on Airbnb.  Things could change at any time, but last year my county received 1.87 million dollars in revenue from Airbnb, so perhaps they'll think twice before cracking down . . . 

[Brad136]

Angie,

I see you have airBnB's in Clearwater, I was told that they're are no longer allowing this from another forum.  Can I still airBnB with short term rentals in Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Largo, or Dunedin?

[Ellen307]

In most parts of Clearwater, except for a dozen grandfathered units on the Beach, the minimum rental period in Clearwater is 1 month. In Dunedin it's 3 months, but there are some exceptions.

[Ed175]

Thanks for your posting. I appreciate all the important info on it.

[Bikram0]

Hi Angie!  thanks for your detailed reply above, just curious if the licensing and permits issue has changed in Pinellas County?   any insight would be greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

[Ellen307]

Short term rentals are restricted if the City is grandfathered under FL law. Cleawater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor...all have minimum lease restrictions. Dunedin 3 months, Clearwater 1 month....most of the HOAs have a 3 month minimum rental period. There are exceptions however. 

[Angie108]

I do not believe the regulations have changed in the last two or three years. But note Dash I am in the county, not in one of the cities. Some of the cities have tightened up on Airbnb especially on those in residential communities. I hate to go into anymore detail because the situation is constantly changing and my answer would be dated. 😉

[Pamela797]

hey angie, 

can you send me information on insurance and LLC ..

[Bonnie-and-Patrick0]

Hi, I found this article which contains a lot of good info...

https://www.mashvisor.com/blog/airbnb-tampa/

[Pamela797]

hey bonnie 

thanks for the tips..

[Esther652]

Hi! 

Found useful information here. It seems that you need all 3:

1. Apply for a license via DPBR

2. Register with Florida Department of Revenue which must be that "Transient Room Tax Reporting Form" someone mentioned above and then 

3. Obtain a Certificate of Rental from City of Tampa which is also mentioned in the thread.

See links here 

https://www.hillstax.org/other-services/tourist-development/general-information/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__...