Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Florence, AL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Florence, AL, but with restrictions. STRs are defined as rentals for <30 consecutive days and limited to no more than four bedrooms. They are permitted only in specified zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-B, B-2 second-story residential only, B-3, Sweetwater District, and PUD with approvals) and must meet building, fire, and health standards; owners must designate a 24/7 local contact who can respond within 30 minutes, post occupancy limits and permit information, keep a 3-year guest register, prohibit special events, and maintain specific insurance and safety compliance. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are defined as rentals for <30 consecutive days and limited to no more than four bedrooms. They are permitted only in specified zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-B, B-2 second-story residential only, B-3, Sweetwater District, and PUD with approvals) and must meet building, fire, and health standards; owners must designate a 24/7 local contact who can respond within 30 minutes, post occupancy limits and permit information, keep a 3-year guest register, prohibit special events, and maintain specific insurance and safety compliance.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Florence. 1) Submit a Short-Term Rental application to the City of Florence Building Department and a business license application to the City Clerk with required documents (deed, insurance, guest agreement, health dept. approval for septic). 2) Complete mandatory inspections by the Fire and Building Departments. 3) Upon approval and payment of fees, receive an annual permit, certificate of occupancy, and business license (valid Jan 1–Dec 31).

1) Submit a Short-Term Rental application to the City of Florence Building Department and a business license application to the City Clerk with required documents (deed, insurance, guest agreement, health dept. approval for septic). 2) Complete mandatory inspections by the Fire and Building Departments. 3) Upon approval and payment of fees, receive an annual permit, certificate of occupancy, and business license (valid Jan 1–Dec 31).

Vrbo is permitted in Florence, AL under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Florence are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Florence. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.