Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Summerland Key, FL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Summerland Key, FL, but with restrictions. Vacation rentals (<28 days) are allowed only in specified Monroe County land-use (zoning) districts (examples: SR, MU, UR, IS-V, OS) and are expressly prohibited in many districts (e.g., IS except gated communities meeting criteria, URM, URM-L, etc.). Units must comply with state DBPR/public lodging and DOH/DEP sewage requirements, must have a licensed vacation rental manager who resides in the same Keys section and is available 24/7, must post the manager contact and permit number on the property, follow parking/boat/storage limits, noise/trash rules, and provide tenant rules; neighbor notice to property owners within 300 feet is required prior to approval. 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 (<28 days) are allowed only in specified Monroe County land-use (zoning) districts (examples: SR, MU, UR, IS-V, OS) and are expressly prohibited in many districts (e.g., IS except gated communities meeting criteria, URM, URM-L, etc.). Units must comply with state DBPR/public lodging and DOH/DEP sewage requirements, must have a licensed vacation rental manager who resides in the same Keys section and is available 24/7, must post the manager contact and permit number on the property, follow parking/boat/storage limits, noise/trash rules, and provide tenant rules; neighbor notice to property owners within 300 feet is required prior to approval.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Summerland Key. 1) Confirm property zoning using Monroe County vacation rental maps and determine eligibility; complete and submit the Special Vacation Rental Permit initial application to Monroe County Planning (mail or deliver to listed Planning offices) with the $490 initial fee, required attachments (property record card, proof of ownership, floor plan/site plan, Monroe County Business Tax Receipt, Florida Dept. of Revenue registration, DBPR license, sewage/health approval or certification, copy of manager license or application, Tenants Agreement and Notice of Vacation Rental Use and certified-mail receipts to neighbors). 2) Obtain/submit Special Vacation Rental Manager License (fee $110) and schedule Fire & Life Safety inspection via the Monroe County Fire Rescue inspection request portal (inspection fees by bedroom: $100 for 1BR, $200 for 2–3BR, $300 for 4+BR; re-inspection fees apply). 3) After review and required inspections, Monroe County issues a nontransferable annual special vacation rental permit; renew annually (renewal fee $100) and comply with ongoing recordkeeping and manager-response obligations.

1) Confirm property zoning using Monroe County vacation rental maps and determine eligibility; complete and submit the Special Vacation Rental Permit initial application to Monroe County Planning (mail or deliver to listed Planning offices) with the $490 initial fee, required attachments (property record card, proof of ownership, floor plan/site plan, Monroe County Business Tax Receipt, Florida Dept. of Revenue registration, DBPR license, sewage/health approval or certification, copy of manager license or application, Tenants Agreement and Notice of Vacation Rental Use and certified-mail receipts to neighbors). 2) Obtain/submit Special Vacation Rental Manager License (fee $110) and schedule Fire & Life Safety inspection via the Monroe County Fire Rescue inspection request portal (inspection fees by bedroom: $100 for 1BR, $200 for 2–3BR, $300 for 4+BR; re-inspection fees apply). 3) After review and required inspections, Monroe County issues a nontransferable annual special vacation rental permit; renew annually (renewal fee $100) and comply with ongoing recordkeeping and manager-response obligations.

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