Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Mary Esther, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Mary Esther, FL, but with restrictions. Vacation rentals are permitted in all zoning areas but require a Certificate of Registration and a designated responsible party available 24/7 to respond within one hour. Occupancy is limited by the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and owners must maintain a guest register for at least two years. 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.

Vacation rentals are permitted in all zoning areas but require a Certificate of Registration and a designated responsible party available 24/7 to respond within one hour. Occupancy is limited by the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and owners must maintain a guest register for at least two years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Mary Esther. 1. Submit an application for a Certificate of Registration to the City including proof of ownership, a city business tax receipt, and a Florida DBPR lodging license. 2. Pay the annual registration fee and provide a statement of maximum occupancy. 3. Renew the certificate annually by August 1st for the following October 1st – September 30th period.

1. Submit an application for a Certificate of Registration to the City including proof of ownership, a city business tax receipt, and a Florida DBPR lodging license. 2. Pay the annual registration fee and provide a statement of maximum occupancy. 3. Renew the certificate annually by August 1st for the following October 1st – September 30th period.

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