Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Perry, FL?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in the City of Perry and in the unincorporated areas of Taylor County. There is no city-specific short-term rental ordinance or separate municipal STR permit in Perry, FL. Instead, STRs are treated as transient accommodations under Florida law and are subject to state lodging regulations, state and local taxes, and the county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT). Owners must comply with the licensing, tax collection/remittance, and reporting requirements summarized below.

Sources:

• Taylor County Tax Collector — Tourist Development Tax guidance and monthly remittance requirements
• Florida Department of Revenue — sales tax registration and administration
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — vacation rental licensing
• Florida Department of State (Sunbiz) — fictitious name registration

How to start a short-term rental business in Perry, FL

A practical sequence of steps for investors launching an STR in Perry/Taylor County:

1. Confirm your use

• Your property will be treated as transient lodging if you rent it for six months or less. This includes houses, condos, RV sites, and similar accommodations.

2. Apply for state-level lodging compliance

• Vacation rentals (single units, condos, homes) are public lodging establishments under Florida law. You must apply for a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Vacation Rental license before operating. Note: If you operate an RV park or a lodging facility with five or more units, additional state and county oversight may apply (see “State of Florida” section for contacts).
• Contact DBPR: 850-487-1395 | Address: 2601 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | Website: myfloridalicense.com

3. Register for state and local taxes

• Obtain a Florida Sales Tax Number from the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). This is needed to collect and remit Florida sales tax and the county Tourist Development Tax.
• DOR phone: 850-488-9719 | Address: 2410 Allen Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312-2603 | Website: floridarevenue.com

4. Register your business name (if needed)

• If operating under a name different from your legal name or business entity name, file a fictitious name with the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz) before licensing/permits.
• Phone: 850-245-6000 | Website: sunbiz.org

5. Secure local business tax receipts (BTR)

• If inside the City of Perry limits: apply for a city business tax receipt.
  • Contact City of Perry: 850-584-2721
• If in unincorporated Taylor County: obtain a county business tax receipt from the Tax Collector’s Office.
  • Contact Taylor County Tax Collector’s Business Tax section for county BTRs.

6. Enroll in Tourist Development Tax (TDT)

• Complete the Tourist Development Application and open a TDT account with the Taylor County Tax Collector.
• Download forms below under “Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines.”

7. Set up operations for monthly filings

• Collect the 5% TDT from guests alongside rent. Remit monthly with the Tax Return Coupon. Payments are due by the 1st of the month following collection; they’re delinquent if not paid or postmarked by the 20th.
• Maintain records for at least the statutory period and be prepared for audits.

Source: Taylor County Tax Collector — Tourist Development Tax

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Key licenses, registrations, and tax forms for Perry, FL STRs:

• Vacation Rental License (DBPR)
  • Applies to vacation rentals and transient public lodging establishments. If unsure whether your property type requires a license, contact DBPR before operating.
• Florida Sales Tax Number (DOR)
  • Required for collecting/remitting state sales tax and county TDT.
• Fictitious Name (Sunbiz), if applicable
  • Required if doing business under a name not matching your legal or entity name.
• City of Perry Business Tax Receipt (if located within city limits)
  • Contact City of Perry to confirm procedures and fees.
• County Business Tax Receipt (Taylor County)
  • Contact Taylor County Tax Collector for unincorporated area requirements.
• Taylor County Tourist Development
  • Tourist Development Application
  • Tourist Development Tax Return Coupon
  • See links below; complete, submit, and begin monthly remittance.

Source: Taylor County Tax Collector — Tourist Development Tax

Specific regulations for short-term rentals in this city, county, and state

City of Perry (no dedicated STR ordinance)

• No city-specific STR ordinance or separate municipal STR permit is identified.
• If inside city limits, obtain a city business tax receipt.
• City phone: 850-584-2721

Taylor County

• Transient accommodations are defined broadly to include rentals for six months or less.
• Tourist Development Tax rate is 5%. It is an add-on tax collected from tenants at the time rent is collected.
• Owners, property managers, and operators are responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.
• TDT remitted monthly; due by the 1st of the month following collection; delinquent if not paid or postmarked by the 20th.
• Exemptions:
  • Bona fide leases longer than six months for continuous residence.
  • Continuous residency for six months with tax paid; exemption begins on the seventh month as long as the guest remains at the same location.
  • Full-time postsecondary students and active-duty military residing in these facilities may be exempt.
  • Rentals made for business purposes by governments or non-profits may be exempt if statutory conditions are met.
• Special compliance checks:
  • RV parks and mobile home parks with five or more units may need to contact county administration and the Florida Department of Health.
  • See “State of Florida” contacts for DBPR (licensing) and DOH (health).

State of Florida

• Transient rentals must comply with Florida’s vacation rental and public lodging statutes and administrative code (DBPR).
• Licensing and inspection requirements apply to public lodging establishments and vacation rentals. If you operate a facility with multiple lodging units or mixed lodging types (e.g., RV park), verify scope of licensing with DBPR and whether a Florida Department of Health permit is required.
• DBPR contact: 850-487-1395 | Address: 2601 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | Website: myfloridalicense.com
• Florida Department of Health (Taylor County): 850-584-5087

Note: Florida rules change periodically. Confirm current licensing, inspection, and posting requirements with DBPR before opening.

Contact information (phone, email, website) for local authority in charge of STRs

For STR licensing (state):

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
  • Phone: 850-487-1395
  • Address: 2601 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32399
  • Website: myfloridalicense.com

For sales tax registration and remittance (state):

• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Phone: 850-488-9719
  • Address: 2410 Allen Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312-2603
  • Website: floridarevenue.com

For fictitious name registration (state):

• Florida Department of State (Sunbiz)
  • Phone: 850-245-6000
  • Website: sunbiz.org

For TDT enrollment, reporting, and county business taxes:

• Taylor County Tax Collector’s Office
  • Tax Department (TDT and business taxes) Phone: 850-838-3580
  • Tourist Development info page: taylorcountytaxcollector.com/tourist-development

For city business tax receipt (inside City of Perry):

• City of Perry
  • Phone: 850-584-2721

For health and RV/MHP oversight with 5+ units:

• Taylor County Administration (general contact): 850-838-3500
• Florida Department of Health (Taylor County): 850-584-5087

Links to source pages (where available)

• Taylor County Tax Collector — Tourist Development Tax
  • www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com/tourist-development
• Tourist Development Tax Application (PDF)
  • www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com/_files/ugd/c2935d_710058323fda4e2b902798e462648f0f.pdf
• Tourist Development Tax Return Coupon (PDF)
  • www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com/_files/ugd/c2935d_87a55475f3744c549a50d9acb94511b1.pdf
• Tourist Development Application (PDF, general)
  • www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com/_files/ugd/c2935d_5f296584cce8487090e2b08d991366bb.pdf
• Taylor County — Business Tax Receipt info (Business Tax page)
  • www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com/business-tax
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
  • www.myfloridalicense.com
• Florida Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • www.floridarevenue.com
• Florida Department of State (Sunbiz)
  • sunbiz.org

Practical filing checklist for monthly compliance (keep on file)

• Collect 5% TDT plus state sales tax from guest payments at the time rent is collected.
• Reconcile rent receipts and taxes due for each calendar month.
• Prepare and submit the Taylor County TDT return with the coupon by the 1st of the following month.
• If the 20th falls on a weekend/holiday, ensure payments are postmarked by the 20th.
• Retain guest reservation records, rate details, and tax remittance documentation for at least the statutory retention period.

Final note for investors

Perry’s regulatory environment is straightforward for STRs: there is no city-specific STR licensing, but state lodging compliance, state sales tax registration, and the county’s 5% TDT are mandatory. Start with DBPR licensing and DOR registration, secure city/county BTRs as applicable, open your TDT account with the Tax Collector, and operationalize monthly remittance. For properties with five or more units (including RV parks), coordinate early with county administration and the Florida Department of Health. All links and forms are provided above for onboarding and ongoing compliance.