Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Franklin County, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Franklin County, FL, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are allowed only in commercial (C-1, C-2 by special exception, C-3, C-4) and Office Residential (O/R) zones; they are prohibited in residential zones. Rentals are limited to properties with 2-10 units, specific cooking facility restrictions (microwave only in some cases), and requirements for public signage and compliance with parking/building standards. 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 rentals are allowed only in commercial (C-1, C-2 by special exception, C-3, C-4) and Office Residential (O/R) zones; they are prohibited in residential zones. Rentals are limited to properties with 2-10 units, specific cooking facility restrictions (microwave only in some cases), and requirements for public signage and compliance with parking/building standards.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Franklin County. 1) Register with the State (DBPR public lodging license) and Florida Dept of Revenue for taxes; 2) Apply for a City of Apalachicola business/vacation rental license providing state and tax documentation; 3) Ensure compliance with local zoning (parking, signage) and renew the city license annually.

1) Register with the State (DBPR public lodging license) and Florida Dept of Revenue for taxes; 2) Apply for a City of Apalachicola business/vacation rental license providing state and tax documentation; 3) Ensure compliance with local zoning (parking, signage) and renew the city license annually.

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