How does Panama City Beach Florida define a short-term (Airbnb) rental (STR)?
• A dwelling in Panama City Beach is generally designed to accommodate single families, with around two to five people on average.
• Any public lodging establishment rented to guests, whether a building or unit, for three times a year or more for durations of less than six months (181 days) is considered an STR.
Can investors own more than one vacation rental property in Panama City Beach Florida?
Yes – investors can own more than one vacation rental property in Panama City Beach, Florida, and there are no limits on STR ownership.
Does Panama City Beach Florida have any zoning restrictions for STRs?
Yes, there are zoning restrictions for STRs in Panama City Beach. High, Medium, and Low-Intensity Commercial districts, Limited and Unlimited Multi-family districts, and Townhouse districts allow short-term (airbnb) rentals of less than 181 consecutive nights.
Always check to see if the home you’re considering purchasing as a rental is in a short-term rental-approved zone. Refer to the Panama City Beach zoning map for directions.
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In Panama City Beach Florida can an investor own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity?
Yes – investors can own and operate an Airbnb property as a business, corporation, or individual. Investors must register with the State of Florida, and their property with the Florida Department of Revenue.
In Panama City Beach Florida, can investors register accessory dwelling units (ADU), duplexes, and multifamily homes as Vacation Rentals?
Yes – in short, any property that meets the criteria for a short-term rental as defined by the City of Panama City Beach can be legally registered as a vacation rental.
A more detailed answer is that any dwelling unit, sleeping, or living quarters, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, and multifamily homes that house people who do not own the property for periods of less than six months are considered vacation rentals and can be registered with the City of Panama City Beach.
What is Panama City Beach Florida’s requirement for obtaining a Vacation Rental License?
- A Change of Occupancy license issued by the City Building Official (if applicable).
- A short-term (Airbnb) rental license from the Panama City Beach tax system, which also issues a Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
- A license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
- Any automatic sprinkler system that meets NFPA 13 standards.
- A single-station smoke detector in each guest room when smoke detectors are not connected to a locally alarmed central alarm system.
- Additional requirements depending on the classification of your property, such as but not limited to lighted exit signs or second entrances.
- Meeting all Florida residential building code regulations.
- Providing plans to the International Codes council or the Bay County Building Department for review and comment.
What are the costs associated with a Vacation Rental License in Panama City Beach Florida?
- Applying for a short-term (Airbnb) rental license in Panama City Beach costs $50 and is due annually.
- Providing plans to the appropriate agency costs $25.
- Business Tax Receipt fees of 1% of monthly gross sales.
Does Panama City Beach Florida have Vacation Rental occupancy limits?
Yes – Panama City Beach does have vacation rental occupancy limits. The maximum occupancy for an STR is four people per full bathroom (with a sink, toilet, bath or shower).
Does Panama City Beach Florida require an inspection for investors to obtain an STR license? What are the physical and structural requirements for a vacation rental?
Yes – properties operating as public lodging establishments must be inspected by the City, as this type of property has more physical and structural requirements.
Depending on how many people can legally occupy the vacation home, there are different physical and structural requirements. Generally, properties with under ten people follow the single-family residence requirements, while those with more than ten must comply with the Residential Group R-1 code.
For more information, please see the 2014 Florida Building Code, which outlines physical and structural requirements for STRs in Panama City Beach.
Does Panama City Beach Florida have any responsible agent requirements?
Yes – Panama City Beach requires vacation rental owners to designate a responsible agent for each unit. The responsible agent must be a neutral person living in the community, maintain the unit’s condition, and assist rental guests with any problems.
Does Panama City Beach Florida have specific insurance requirements for a Vacation Rental?
After receiving a Business Tax Receipt, properties are provided Transient Residential status and can rent their property as an STR. Although there were no insurance requirements listed in the Panama City Beach Airbnb rental laws, it is recommended that you purchase business insurance to cover the property, yourself, and any guests.
What are the duration and renewal terms of a Panama City Beach Florida Vacation Rental license?
The Airbnb rental license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Each year on September 30th, the vacation rental license expires. On August 1st, the Panama City Beach tax office mails out renewal notices for all active STR licenses. Each license must be renewed by October 1st. Otherwise, owners will pay a delinquency penalty of 10% per month in October and an additional 5% each month after that.
Who should I contact if I have questions regarding Panama City Beach Florida Vacation Rentals?
Panama City Beach Business Tax System – businesstaxsupport@pcbfl.gov
Panama City Beach Building Department – (850) 233-5100
Are there any new laws and regulations that the city is requiring?
Chalet did not see any recent updates to the short-term rental regulations in Bay County Florida, the governing body for Panama City Beach. However, it is always best to check with the local government authority in the area you are operating in to make sure you are up to date on all applicable laws and regulations.
