Effectively prohibited
Short-term rentals are effectively prohibited here. The costs below are moot unless that changes.
| Application fee | not verified |
| STR permit / registration | not verified |
| Business licence annual | $31.50 |
| Inspection | not verified |
| First-year total | $31.50 |
| Permit renewal | not verified |
| Business licence annual | $31.50 |
| Recurring annual | $31.50 |
Combined lodging tax: 13.0% of revenue. Charged on what you earn, so it is not in the totals above.
Conditions attached
- Short rentals of a home on residentially zoned land are not allowed in the City of Clearwater: a residential use may not include rentals for less than 31 days or one calendar month, or be advertised for such stays (CDC 8-102, 3-919). City rule predates the 2011 state preemption. Overnight accommodations (stays under 31 days) are a permitted use only in certain non-residential districts; resort attached dwellings only in the Tourist (T) district. Any residential rental of 31+ days needs a city business tax receipt with a local contact in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee or Sarasota County. Pinellas County's STR Certificate of Use applies only to unincorporated areas, not to Clearwater.
Source: https://library.municode.com/fl/clearwater/codes/community_development_code
Checked 2026-10-01 · Clearwater CDC Sections 3-919 and 8-102; CDC Division 23 (3-2301 to 3-2307); Code of Ordinances Appendix A (business tax receipts)