Destin Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Registration ($500-$700) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — up to 6 months |
| Tax Rate | 12% |
| Max Penalty | $500 per violation |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-Term Rental Registration
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $500-$700 |
| Renewal | $500-$700 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Bay Resort Mixed Use (BRMU), Crystal Beach Resort (CBR), Calhoun Mixed Use (CMU), Gulf Resort Mixed Use (GRMU), Holiday Isle Mixed Use (HIMU), North Harbor Mixed Use (NHMU), Residential Office Institutional Tourist Development (ROI-TD), South Harbor Mixed Use (SHMU), Crystal Beach Neighborhood (CBN), Low/Medium/High Density Residential-Holiday Isle.
Application Process
Online application through MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) portal; annual submission required; complete registration yields city-issued annual sticker
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax | 6% | Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts |
| Florida State Sales Tax | 6% | Florida Department of Revenue |
Combined rate: 12% of gross rental income.
Collection: Hosts collect and remit
Rental Limits
Destin does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be up to 6 months.
Occupancy & Density Limits
2 adults per bedroom plus 4 additional persons, maximum 24 persons total
Zoning & Restrictions
Short-Term Rental Registration: Bay Resort Mixed Use (BRMU), Crystal Beach Resort (CBR), Calhoun Mixed Use (CMU), Gulf Resort Mixed Use (GRMU), Holiday Isle Mixed Use (HIMU), North Harbor Mixed Use (NHMU), Residential Office Institutional Tourist Development (ROI-TD), South Harbor Mixed Use (SHMU), Crystal Beach Neighborhood (CBN), Low/Medium/High Density Residential-Holiday Isle
Insurance & Safety
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Required signage 18" x 18" with management company name/phone, emergency contact info, occupancy limit, parking spaces available within 7 days of registration
- Emergency contact must be reachable within one hour
- City of Destin Business Tax Receipt required
- Florida Vacation Rental Dwelling License (DBPR) required
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Maximum penalty: $500 per violation.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Destin:
- Meet safety requirements. Required signage 18" x 18" with management company name/phone, emergency contact info, occupancy limit, parking spaces available within 7 days of registration. Emergency contact must be reachable within one hour. City of Destin Business Tax Receipt required. Florida Vacation Rental Dwelling License (DBPR) required.
- Apply for Short-Term Rental Registration. Submit application + $500-$700 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Collect and remit taxes. 12% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $500-$700 renewal fee.