Miramar Beach Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for state tax and with the Florida DBPR for a vacation rental dwelling license, then apply for the Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate, designate a Local Responsible Party, meet life-safety/parking/signage standards, and pay the $300 annual fee. Renewals open April 1 and are due June 1 each year.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 12% of gross rental income.

Collection: Owner/operator collects and remits. Walton County is not contracted with any platform (Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO), so owners must remit the TDT directly to the Walton County Clerk via the online portal (waltontdt.munirevs.com). The 6% state sales tax and 1% county surtax are reported and remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue on Form DR-15.

Filing: Monthly; TDT returns are due the month following the rental stay and are delinquent if submitted after the 20th

Rental Limits

Miramar Beach does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be less than 30 days.

Occupancy & Density Limits

150 square feet gross floor area per person

Zoning & Restrictions

Check with local government

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Miramar Beach does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Automatic smoke detection per Chapter 69A-43, F.A.C.
• A portable, multi-purpose dry chemical 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher installed on each floor/level
• Battery powered emergency lighting to illuminate the primary exit
• Balcony inspections for properties 3 or more stories in height
• Swimming pool, spa and hot tub safety compliant with the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act
• Off-street parking: one (1) space per six (6) transient occupants (new construction)
• Posted exterior sign (max 216 square inches) with name, 24/7 emergency contact phone, and Certificate Number
• Interior postings: maximum occupancy, parking locations, noise ordinance, trash pickup days, evacuation procedures
• Local Responsible Party available 24/7, able to respond within one hour, monitoring the unit at least weekly

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Civil citation fines per violation set by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners for first, second, third, and further repeat violations. Each day a violation exists is a separate violation, enforced under Florida Statutes Chapter 162. Noise / civil infraction fines up to $500.00. TDT late filing penalty is 10% of tax due or $50, whichever is greater, plus daily interest.

Platform Requirements

All advertising must include the Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate Number and the TDT Registration Number. Advertising must conform to the information in the certificate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Miramar Beach:

1. Meet safety requirements. Automatic smoke detection per Chapter 69A-43, F.A.C. A portable, multi-purpose dry chemical 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher installed on each floor/level. Battery powered emergency lighting to illuminate the primary exit. Balcony inspections for properties 3 or more stories in height. Swimming pool, spa and hot tub safety compliant with the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Off-street parking: one (1) space per six (6) transient occupants (new construction). Posted exterior sign (max 216 square inches) with name, 24/7 emergency contact phone, and Certificate Number. Interior postings: maximum occupancy, parking locations, noise ordinance, trash pickup days, evacuation procedures. Local Responsible Party available 24/7, able to respond within one hour, monitoring the unit at least weekly.
2. Apply for Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate. Submit application + $300 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Walton County Clerk of Court & County Comptroller (TDT); Florida Department of Revenue (state sales tax and surtax).
4. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 12% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $300 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Miramar Beach?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Miramar Beach requires a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Miramar Beach?

A Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate in Miramar Beach costs $300 per year.

Does Miramar Beach require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Miramar Beach allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Miramar Beach?

Miramar Beach does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Miramar Beach?

Short-term rental stays in Miramar Beach are subject to a combined 12% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Florida State Sales Tax + 1% Walton County Discretionary Sales Surtax + 5% Walton County Tourist Development Tax (South District). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Miramar Beach?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 per violation (noise / civil infraction); each day is a separate violation.