St Augustine Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Rental Registration

Zoning restriction: Zone class RS-1 & RS-2 are weekly minimum rental period, zone class HP-1 has a monthly minimum rental period, and all other zone classes allow nightly rentals.

Application Process

Every vacation rental shall register with the city on forms provided for this purpose and shall pay the required administrative fee, as set by resolution, at the time of registration and thereafter annually. All information provided in the required registration application will be verified on site prior to approval of registration. At the time of registering a vacation rental, and thereafter annually, the applicant shall be required to allow reasonable access to the property by city officials for an inspection of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Life-Safety Code, NFPA 101, as amended and adopted by the state fire marshal from time to time.

Tax Obligations

Collection: All owners and/or agents of rental property are subject to the Tourist Development Tax and must collect these taxes from their tenants or guests and remit to the St. Johns County Tax Collector. These taxes shall be remitted to the Tax Collector’s office monthly.

Occupancy & Density Limits

The maximum occupancy of a vacation rental is two (2) persons per bedroom per vacation rental, plus an additional two children under the age of 18 per vacation rental. The total maximum occupancy of a vacation rental is twelve (12) persons, inclusive of minor children.

Safety

• All vacation rentals shall meet life-safety standards as established by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Each vacation rental will provide a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm, and a fire extinguisher for each rental unit.
• Each bedroom shall have one primary and one secondary means of egress from the bedroom, consistent with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, as amended and adopted by the State Fire Marshal from time to time. Each means of egress must be maintained, unobstructed, and operable.
• Maximum occupancy, guest visiting hours, trash collection schedule, emergency contact information, and emergency evacuation information must be visibly posted in each rental unit.
• Fire exits must be clearly marked, and emergency lighting consistent with NFPA Life Safety Code 101 Chapter 7, must be provided in each vacation rental.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Violation of sections 28-145 through 28-156, as well as section 28-159 may be prosecuted pursuant to article VI, code enforcement, or pursuant to any other procedure and remedy available to the city, including but not limited to, revocation of the vacation rental registration.

Compliance Checklist

1. Meet the safety requirements
   • All vacation rentals shall meet life-safety standards as established by local, state, and federal regulations.
   • Each vacation rental will provide a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm, and a fire extinguisher for each rental unit.
   • Each bedroom shall have one primary and one secondary means of egress from the bedroom, consistent with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, as amended and adopted by the State Fire Marshal from time to time. Each means of egress must be maintained, unobstructed, and operable.
   • Maximum occupancy, guest visiting hours, trash collection schedule, emergency contact information, and emergency evacuation information must be visibly posted in each rental unit.
   • Fire exits must be clearly marked, and emergency lighting consistent with NFPA Life Safety Code 101 Chapter 7, must be provided in each vacation rental.
2. Apply for the permit
   • Base Rate of $303.03 + $79.30 per rental bedroom
   • How to apply: Every vacation rental shall register with the city on forms provided for this purpose and shall pay the required administrative fee, as set by resolution, at the time of registration and thereafter annually. All information provided in the required registration application will be verified on site prior to approval of registration. At the time of registering a vacation rental, and thereafter annually, the applicant shall be required to allow reasonable access to the property by city officials for an inspection of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Life-Safety Code, NFPA 101, as amended and adopted by the state fire marshal from time to time.
3. Register for tax
   • Tourist Development Tax and Discretionary Sales Surtax: register with St. Johns County
   • State sales tax: register with Florida Department of Revenue
4. Collect and remit tax
   • How the tax is collected: All owners and/or agents of rental property are subject to the Tourist Development Tax and must collect these taxes from their tenants or guests and remit to the St. Johns County Tax Collector. These taxes shall be remitted to the Tax Collector’s office monthly.
5. Renew your permit
   • Renewal period: Annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run a short-term rental in St Augustine?

Yes.

Permit: Short Term Rental Registration

How to apply: Every vacation rental shall register with the city on forms provided for this purpose and shall pay the required administrative fee, as set by resolution, at the time of registration and thereafter annually. All information provided in the required registration application will be verified on site prior to approval of registration. At the time of registering a vacation rental, and thereafter annually, the applicant shall be required to allow reasonable access to the property by city officials for an inspection of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Life-Safety Code, NFPA 101, as amended and adopted by the state fire marshal from time to time.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in St Augustine?

Initial fee (Short Term Rental Registration): Base Rate of $303.03 + $79.30 per rental bedroom

Renewal period (Short Term Rental Registration): Annually

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in St Augustine?

Tourist Development Tax: 5%

State sales tax: 6%

Discretionary Sales Surtax: 0.5%

How the tax is collected: All owners and/or agents of rental property are subject to the Tourist Development Tax and must collect these taxes from their tenants or guests and remit to the St. Johns County Tax Collector. These taxes shall be remitted to the Tax Collector’s office monthly.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in St Augustine?

Penalty: Violation of sections 28-145 through 28-156, as well as section 28-159 may be prosecuted pursuant to article VI, code enforcement, or pursuant to any other procedure and remedy available to the city, including but not limited to, revocation of the vacation rental registration.