Palm Beach, Florida Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Palm Beach, Florida, subject to specific regulatory requirements at the county and city levels. This guide covers both Palm Beach County regulations (which apply throughout the county) and West Palm Beach city regulations (the largest municipality within Palm Beach County).

Short-term rentals are defined as properties rented for periods of less than 180 consecutive days in Palm Beach County, while West Palm Beach applies the same regulations to both short-term and traditional rental properties.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

County-Level Registration Process

Step 1: Obtain Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Account Number

Gather Required Documentation:
- Proof of identity (driver's license, social security number, EIN, or federal ID)
- Property Control Numbers (PCN) for each listing
- Your PCN can be obtained through the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's website
Complete Online Registration:
- Visit the TDT portal website
- Create username and password, verify via email
- Submit TDT application online
- County will issue TDT account number upon approval

Step 2: Obtain Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Number

Complete BTR Application:
- Use your TDT account number from Step 1
- Submit BTR application form for each listing
- Pay application fee per listing
Submission Options:
- In Person: Government Center, 301 N. Olive Ave, 3rd FL, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM)
- Mail: Tax Collector, Palm Beach County • Attn: Tourist Development Tax • P.O. Box 3715 • West Palm Beach, FL 33402-3715

Step 3: Upload License Numbers to Hosting Platforms

Add County TDT number (format: 000012345) and BTR number (format: 2020123456) to your Airbnb, VRBO, or other platform listings

City-Level Registration Process (West Palm Beach)

Step 1: Submit Rental License Application

Complete Rental Tax Application:
- Available through the Development Services Department
- Processing typically takes 7-10 business days
Submit Online Application:
- Access the online rental property license application
- Complete zoning review and inspection scheduling

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

County Requirements

Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Account Number:

Required for all STR hosts
Must be obtained before hosting
Account number remains with property owner, not transferrable

Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Number:

Must be renewed annually
Separate BTR required for each STR listing
Application fee varies per listing

Liability Insurance:

Minimum coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence
Policy must name property owner, responsible agent, and Palm Beach County as additional insured

Responsible Agent Designation:

24/7 availability required
Must respond to complaints and emergencies

City Requirements (West Palm Beach)

Rental License Application:

Required for all rental properties
Must include zoning review
Inspection scheduling mandatory

Code Compliance Inspection:

Required for all rental properties
Fire inspection required for properties with 3+ units under same roof

Property Standards Verification:

Interior conditions must be sanitary and safe
All appliances, electrical, plumbing, and windows must be functional
Window screens must be present or available
Professional pest control may be required

Exterior Standards:

Sanitary and safe conditions maintained
Outdoor storage prohibited
All parking areas must be completely paved
Proper landscape maintenance required
Safe egress (no tripping hazards)
Address numbers appropriately displayed

Property Type Classifications (West Palm Beach)

Type 1: Owner-Occupied

Single-family, multifamily, or duplex properties
Owner-occupied or associated with owner-occupied principal residence
Entire dwelling OR minimum sleeping room with shared full bathroom
Owner generally present during rental

Type 2: Not Owner-Occupied (Single-Family/Duplex)

Entire dwelling unit rental
Not owner-occupied properties

Type 3: Not Owner-Occupied (Multifamily)

Apartments, condos, etc.
Entire dwelling unit rental
Must document total buildings and units per building
Must comply with geographic caps if applicable

Specific Regulations

County-Level Regulations

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum: Two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per rental unit
Absolute maximum: 12 persons per rental unit

Inspection Requirements:

Safety and health compliance verification required
Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers
Functioning heating and cooling systems
Fire safety inspection reports required

Tax Obligations:

Tourist Development Tax: 6% of total taxable rental receipts
Monthly TDT returns due on the 1st of each month
Returns submitted after 20th may be considered delinquent
$0 returns still required for months with no rental activity

Zoning:

No specific zoning restrictions for STRs in Palm Beach County
Compliance with safety and building codes allows property to be used as STR

City-Level Regulations (West Palm Beach)

Sanitation Requirements:

Free trash cans provided (48 or 96 gallon capacity)
Additional cans available for $11.60/month plus $75 delivery fee
Placement requirements: After 5:00 PM day before pickup, lid facing street

Waste Management:

Bulk pickup available for three categories: bulk items, white goods, e-scrap
Only three bulk items accepted at once
Construction materials, hazardous waste not accepted
Contact Solid Waste Authority at (561) 640-4000 for prohibited items

Code Compliance Standards:

Dead trees and limbs must be removed promptly
Trees must be trimmed to avoid obstructing traffic visibility
Disabled/unlicensed vehicles must be kept in garage
Junk, trash, and debris must be properly disposed
All parking must be on approved paved surfaces
No commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds in residential areas
Outdoor storage of indoor items prohibited
Illegal dwelling units prohibited

Contact Information

Palm Beach County Tax Collector

Tourist Development Tax & Business Tax Receipts:

Phone: (561) 355-3547
Email: ClientAdvocate@pbctax.com
Website: pbctax.com
Physical Address: 301 N. Olive Ave, 3rd FL, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Palm Beach County Zoning Division

General STR Questions:

Phone: (561) 233-5200
Email: PZBPlanning@pbcgov.org

City of West Palm Beach

Development Services Department:

Code Enforcement: (561) 822-1465 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
City Hotline: (561) 822-2222 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Public Works Sanitation: (561) 822-2075
Email: publicworks@wpb.org
Physical Address: 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Website: wpb.org

North Palm Beach (for reference)

Building & Zoning Department:

Phone: (561) 841-3365
Email: permits@village-npb.org
Physical Address: 501 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Source Links

Important Notes for Investors

Multiple Properties: Investors can own multiple STR properties, but each requires separate licensing
Business Entity Operation: STRs can be operated as business entities, but must maintain all licensing requirements
Property Types: Single-family, duplex, multifamily, and ADUs can all be licensed as STRs
Renewal Requirements: Both county BTR and city rental licenses require annual renewal
Platform Compliance: Airbnb and VRBO handle tax remittance on behalf of hosts, but hosts must provide license numbers
Condo/HOA Rules: Individual condo associations and HOAs may have additional restrictions beyond government requirements

This comprehensive framework provides the foundation for legally operating short-term rentals in the Palm Beach market, balancing investor opportunities with community protection standards.