OVERVIEW: Short-Term Rentals in Pinellas Park, FL

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Pinellas Park, FL, subject to regulations at the city, county, and state levels. However, the provided content contains detailed regulations for Pinellas County unincorporated areas but does not include specific city-level regulations for Pinellas Park. Investors should verify current Pinellas Park municipal requirements directly with city officials, as municipal rules can be more restrictive than county regulations.

Key Finding: The content provided covers Pinellas County's Certificate of Use program, which applies to unincorporated areas. Pinellas Park is an incorporated municipality with its own regulatory framework. Investors must obtain separate compliance confirmation from both Pinellas County (for county requirements) and Pinellas Park city officials (for municipal requirements).

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How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step 1: Verify Property Location Compliance

• Determine if your property is in unincorporated Pinellas County or within Pinellas Park city limits
• Unincorporated areas follow Pinellas County STR regulations
• Pinellas Park follows its own municipal STR requirements (not detailed in provided content)
• Use Pinellas County's "My Neighborhood" tool to determine jurisdiction

Step 2: For Unincorporated Pinellas County Properties

1. Apply for Certificate of Use through Pinellas County Access Portal
2. Complete safety inspection before operation
3. Pay required fees (detailed below)
4. Display required information inside rental property
5. Maintain ongoing compliance with all regulations

Step 3: State-Level Requirements

• Register with Florida Department of Revenue for tax collection
• Obtain Florida DBPR license if operating as transient public lodging establishment
• Collect and remit tourist development taxes and state sales taxes

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Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Pinellas County (Unincorporated Areas) Requirements

Certificate of Use Program:

• Certificate of Use application (required for all STRs in unincorporated areas)
• Safety inspection before operation
• Owner Affidavit or Agent Affidavit forms
• Re-inspection every two years

State Requirements:

• Florida Department of Revenue registration for tax collection
• DBPR license (if applicable for transient public lodging establishments)
• Tourist Development Tax registration

Local Posting Requirements:

• Short-term rental notice with key information (provided fillable form available)
• Responsible party contact information posted inside property
• Business tax receipt number (for applicable municipalities)

Inspection Requirements

• Initial safety inspection ($150 fee, $100 re-inspection if failed)
• Bi-annual re-inspections ($100 fee)
• Compliance with Florida Building Code
• Compliance with Florida Fire Prevention Code
• Pool safety compliance (if applicable under Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act)

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Specific Regulations: County, Municipal, and State Levels

Pinellas County Unincorporated Areas Regulations

Maximum Occupancy Limits:

• Two guests per bedroom plus up to two additional guests in common area
• Maximum of 10 total occupants (all ages included)
• Calculation: Bedroom count × 2 + up to 2 = Maximum occupancy

Parking Requirements:

• One off-street parking space per three occupants (rounded up)
• Front lawn parking does NOT count toward minimum requirements
• Garage spaces count if unobstructed and available to guests

Noise Regulations:

• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily
• Compliance with Pinellas County Noise Ordinance required
• Responsible party must address noise complaints

Property Standards:

• No rentals allowed in: sheds without utilities, RVs/campers, tents, unmodified shipping containers
• Compliance with Florida Building Code required
• All utilities must meet habitability standards

Operational Requirements:

• Display key information inside property including:
  • Responsible party contact information
  • Maximum occupancy limits
  • Parking rules and off-street space locations
  • Noise standards and quiet hours
  • Trash/recycling pickup days
  • Nearest hospital location

Exemptions:

• Single bedroom rentals in owner-occupied primary residence do NOT require Certificate of Use
• Accessory dwelling units in owner-occupied homes DO require Certificate of Use

Fees Structure (Pinellas County)

• Certificate of Use: $450 (split into two payments for first year)
• Initial inspection: $150
• Re-inspection (if failed): $100
• Annual renewal: $450
• Bi-annual re-inspection: $100
• All fees are non-refundable

Municipal Variations (Selected Cities)

Note: Pinellas Park-specific regulations not provided in content

Clearwater:

• Prohibits STRs in residential districts for less than 31 days
• Monthly rentals only allowed in residential areas

Indian Rocks Beach:

• Allows STRs in all residential zoning districts
• Requires state registrations (DOR and DBPR)
• City business tax receipt required
• Annual inspections with $75 re-inspection fee

Largo:

• Allows STRs with comprehensive regulations
• High hazard inspection required annually
• 1 person per 150 gross square feet occupancy limit

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State-Level Florida Regulations

Mandatory State Requirements:

• Tourist Development Tax collection and remittance
• Sales tax collection and remittance
• Transient Public Lodging Establishment license (DBPR) if applicable
• Sexual predator notice requirement per Florida Statutes

Tax Collection:

• 6% Florida sales tax
• Tourist development taxes (varies by county)
• Registration with Florida Department of Revenue required

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Contact Information for Local Authorities

Pinellas County STR Program

Physical Address: Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services 440 Court Street Clearwater, FL 33756

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: (727) 464-3888

Email:

• Development Review Help: drs-help@pinellas.gov
• Building Services: buildingservices@pinellas.gov

Online Applications: Pinellas County Access Portal

Code Enforcement

Address: 631 Chestnut St., Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: (727) 464-4761

STR Hotline & Complaints

24/7 Short-Term Rental Hotline: (727) 353-2436 Online Complaint Portal: STR Complaint Form

For Noise Complaints:

• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office: (727) 582-6200
• STR Hotline: (727) 353-2436

Pinellas Park Contact Information

Note: Specific contacts not provided in content - investors must contact city directly

Recommended Pinellas Park Contacts:

• City Hall for municipal STR requirements
• Building Department for permits and inspections
• Code Enforcement for compliance questions

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Important Deadlines and Compliance Timeline

Certificate of Use Deadlines (by ZIP Code)

Unincorporated Pinellas County Properties:

September 15, 2025:

• ZIP codes 34677 through 34698; 33759; 33761; 33763; 33765

October 15, 2025:

• ZIP codes 33702 through 33715; 33781; 33782

November 15, 2025:

• ZIP codes 33755; 33756; 33760; 33762; 33764; 33770 through 33778

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Source Links

1. Pinellas County STR Program: https://pinellas.gov/str/
2. STR Certificate of Use Application: https://pinellas.gov/access-portal
3. Application Instructions: https://pinellas.gov/strapplicationinstructions/
4. STR Complaint Portal: https://secure.hostcompliance.com/pinellas-county-fl-uc/complaints/type
5. Pinellas County Ordinance: https://pinellas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/State-filed-Ordinance-25-15.pdf
6. STR FAQs: https://pinellas.gov/short-term-rental-certificate-of-use-faqs/
7. News Release: https://pinellas.gov/news/pinellas-county-commission-adopts-short-term-rental-ordinance/
8. Municipal Contacts: https://pinellasrealtor.org/short-term-rentals/

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Critical Notes for STR Investors

1. Jurisdictional Verification Required: Confirm whether your property is in unincorporated Pinellas County or within Pinellas Park city limits
2. Dual Compliance Required: Properties in Pinellas Park must comply with both municipal AND county requirements
3. Municipal Variations: Each municipality in Pinellas County has different STR rules - verify specific city requirements
4. State Registration Mandatory: All STR operators must register with Florida state agencies for tax collection
5. Ongoing Compliance: Annual renewals, inspections, and fee payments required
6. Neighbor Relations: STR operators must maintain good relationships with neighbors and respond promptly to complaints

RECOMMENDATION: Contact Pinellas Park city officials directly to obtain current municipal STR requirements, as the provided content does not include specific regulations for Pinellas Park.