Short-Term Rental Regulations
in St. Johns, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in St. Johns, FL, but with restrictions. Short-term vacation rentals are permitted as an allowable accessory use in residential zoning subject to county standards and registration. Key constraints: maximum occupancy of two transient occupants per sleeping room or common area with a 10-occupant limit (children 12 & under excluded); minimum life/safety equipment (e.g., extinguisher); off-street parking requirements (1 space per 3 transient occupants) and no boats/RVs parked on street; required onsite posting of owner/manager 24-hour contact, occupancy and vehicle limits, evacuation route, and other local notices. Certain properties are exempt (e.g., portions west of the Intracoastal Waterway, owner-occupied homestead single-family residences, certain two-family and multifamily units subject to HOAs or onsite management). 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 are permitted as an allowable accessory use in residential zoning subject to county standards and registration. Key constraints: maximum occupancy of two transient occupants per sleeping room or common area with a 10-occupant limit (children 12 & under excluded); minimum life/safety equipment (e.g., extinguisher); off-street parking requirements (1 space per 3 transient occupants) and no boats/RVs parked on street; required onsite posting of owner/manager 24-hour contact, occupancy and vehicle limits, evacuation route, and other local notices. Certain properties are exempt (e.g., portions west of the Intracoastal Waterway, owner-occupied homestead single-family residences, certain two-family and multifamily units subject to HOAs or onsite management).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in St. Johns. 1) Register each dwelling/unit separately using the county’s online Short-Term Vacation Rental registration portal (Host Compliance) and complete the County registration application; 2) Provide required documents: executed affidavit, sample rental/lease agreement showing maximum occupancy and vehicle limits, name and 24-hour contact info for owner/manager and backup contact, Local Business Tax Receipt, copy of DBPR Transient Public Lodging license (if applicable), Florida Dept. of Revenue sales/use tax certificate or third-party tax collection statement, and pay the required registration fee; 3) Renew registration every 12 months (acknowledgement of County’s right to reasonable inspections is required; no specific mandatory pre-occupancy inspection is listed on the STR guidance page).

1) Register each dwelling/unit separately using the county’s online Short-Term Vacation Rental registration portal (Host Compliance) and complete the County registration application; 2) Provide required documents: executed affidavit, sample rental/lease agreement showing maximum occupancy and vehicle limits, name and 24-hour contact info for owner/manager and backup contact, Local Business Tax Receipt, copy of DBPR Transient Public Lodging license (if applicable), Florida Dept. of Revenue sales/use tax certificate or third-party tax collection statement, and pay the required registration fee; 3) Renew registration every 12 months (acknowledgement of County’s right to reasonable inspections is required; no specific mandatory pre-occupancy inspection is listed on the STR guidance page).

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