Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Short-term vacation rentals are permitted but regulated under City Code Sec. 8.13 and apply within the City (including R-1, R1E, and R2 residential zoning). Maximum overnight occupancy is limited to the lesser of: (a) two persons per bedroom plus four additional persons or (b) 24 persons per short-term rental (cap per platted lot). On-site parking must accommodate 1 space per 2.5 occupants; on-street and unimproved/pervious-area parking by transient occupants is prohibited. Owners must designate a local responsible party residing within 30 miles with a 24/7 contact; units must meet life/safety requirements (smoke detection, fire extinguisher, emergency lighting), advertising must state maximum occupancy and parking and include the city-issued certificate number, and commercial special events and charter bus services are prohibited in residential districts.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fort Walton Beach. 1) Submit the annual registration application to the city manager or designee (applications required each year). 2) Provide required documents on the application: property address, owner contact and email, designation of a local responsible party (within 30 miles) with 24/7 emergency contact, signed acknowledgement of compliance, valid City Business Tax Receipt, Florida Dept. of Revenue resale certificate (F.S. ch. 212), and a current DBPR vacation rental dwelling license (F.S. ch. 509); include the non-refundable registration fee (fee amount set by City Council resolution). 3) Upon satisfactory completion the city issues an annual decal to display; registrations expire annually (renewal window Jan 1 – last day of February) and renewals must meet the same application requirements; some life/safety items may require affidavit or inspection as specified in the ordinance.

1) Submit the annual registration application to the city manager or designee (applications required each year). 2) Provide required documents on the application: property address, owner contact and email, designation of a local responsible party (within 30 miles) with 24/7 emergency contact, signed acknowledgement of compliance, valid City Business Tax Receipt, Florida Dept. of Revenue resale certificate (F.S. ch. 212), and a current DBPR vacation rental dwelling license (F.S. ch. 509); include the non-refundable registration fee (fee amount set by City Council resolution). 3) Upon satisfactory completion the city issues an annual decal to display; registrations expire annually (renewal window Jan 1 – last day of February) and renewals must meet the same application requirements; some life/safety items may require affidavit or inspection as specified in the ordinance.

Operators need a Florida DBPR vacation rental license (biennial renewal with safety inspection), a City of Fort Walton Beach business tax receipt (annual renewal with local contact designation), and Okaloosa County tourist development tax registration. Properties with pools must comply with Florida's pool barrier safety requirements. All license numbers must be displayed in online listings.

Eglin AFB's operational noise contours extend over parts of the Fort Walton Beach area. For vacation rental operations, this primarily affects property values and marketability rather than STR licensing requirements directly. Properties in Noise Zone C (65+ DNL) may be disclosed as near the base, which can affect guest expectations. STR licensing compliance is governed by the city and state, not the base.

Operators collect Florida state sales tax (6%) and Okaloosa County tourist development tax (4%), for a combined rate of approximately 10–11%. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit both state and Okaloosa County taxes on behalf of hosts in most cases. Direct-booking operators must register independently with the Florida Department of Revenue and Okaloosa County Tax Collector.