Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Escambia County, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Escambia County, FL, but with restrictions. Short-term/vacation rentals in Escambia County are permitted but subject to county registration and taxation (Tourist Development Tax) and local zoning/building requirements. Property owners must register rental property with the Escambia County Clerk of Courts Treasury to remit TDT (5% county rate) and must register with the Florida Department of Revenue for state sales tax; zoning/land-use verification is required for properties in unincorporated Escambia County. 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.

Short-term/vacation rentals in Escambia County are permitted but subject to county registration and taxation (Tourist Development Tax) and local zoning/building requirements. Property owners must register rental property with the Escambia County Clerk of Courts Treasury to remit TDT (5% county rate) and must register with the Florida Department of Revenue for state sales tax; zoning/land-use verification is required for properties in unincorporated Escambia County.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Escambia County. 1) Complete the Escambia County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Property Registration Form and submit it to the Escambia County Clerk of Courts Treasury (email tdt@escambiaclerk.com) to set up an Excise account; 2) Register the property with the Florida Department of Revenue for state sales tax; 3) File monthly TDT returns and remit the 5% tax via the Excise Online system.

1) Complete the Escambia County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Property Registration Form and submit it to the Escambia County Clerk of Courts Treasury (email tdt@escambiaclerk.com) to set up an Excise account; 2) Register the property with the Florida Department of Revenue for state sales tax; 3) File monthly TDT returns and remit the 5% tax via the Excise Online system.

Vrbo is permitted in Escambia County, FL 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 Escambia County 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 Escambia County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.