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.

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How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

County-Level Registration Process

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

1. 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

2. 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

1. Complete BTR Application:

   • Use your TDT account number from Step 1
   • Submit BTR application form for each listing
   • Pay application fee per listing

2. 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

1. Complete Rental Tax Application:

   • Available through the Development Services Department
   • Processing typically takes 7-10 business days

2. Submit Online Application:

   • Access the online rental property license application
   • Complete zoning review and inspection scheduling

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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

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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

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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

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Source Links

1. West Palm Beach Rental Property Guidelines
2. Palm Beach County TDT Portal
3. Airbnb Palm Beach County STR Guide
4. Palm Beach County Short-Term Rental License Guide
5. North Palm Beach Vacation Rental Information
6. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser

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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.