Short-Term Rental Rules in Gulf Breeze, Florida

Short-Term Rental Rules in Gulf Breeze, Florida

Gulf Breeze requires a City Short‑Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Registration Certificate for each unit, along with ongoing safety/code compliance and a 24/7 designated responsible party. Operators must also handle Florida state licensing (where applicable) and Santa Rosa County lodging taxes.

Rules summary

Are short-term rentals allowed?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Gulf Breeze, but you must comply with the City’s STVR registration requirements and any zoning/HOA limits before operating.

Where is it regulated?

Primarily the City of Gulf Breeze (STVR registration, inspections, and code compliance) plus Santa Rosa County (Tourist Development Tax) and Florida DBPR (state public lodging/vacation rental licensing where applicable).

Registration or license

You must obtain a City STVR Registration Certificate for each unit and renew it annually (certificates expire Sept 30 and renew on/before Oct 1). The ordinance also requires registration with Florida DBPR and the Santa Rosa County Tax Collector as applicable.

Local taxes

Expect Florida state sales tax at 6% plus Santa Rosa County discretionary sales surtax at 1%, and Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) at 5% on stays of 6 months or less—many operators model about 12% total before platform fees (then confirm whether your booking platform collects/remits each component).

Fees

City STVR annual registration certificate fee is $40 per unit. The ordinance also lists a $15 fee to change the designated responsible party (if needed).

Occupancy and parking

City occupancy is bedroom‑based (generally up to 2 guests per bedroom + 2, with smaller bedrooms counting as 1). You must maintain a 24/7 designated responsible party who can address issues, and comply with city noise, parking, and trash rules.

Minimum stay

Ordinance 05‑2024 is focused on registration + operational standards and does not set a city minimum stay; verify any zoning/HOA or platform-driven minimum-stay limits at the address level.

Enforcement and penalties

Violations may be enforced by civil citation with fines of $100 (first), $250 (second), and $500 (each subsequent). Other city ordinance violations (noise/parking/garbage) may also be enforced separately.

What to do next

• Confirm the property is inside Gulf Breeze city limits (not unincorporated Santa Rosa County) and verify zoning + HOA/condo restrictions.
• Confirm your Florida DBPR vacation rental licensing status (where applicable) and set up state sales tax reporting with the Florida Department of Revenue.
• Register for Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) filing and confirm what your booking platform collects/remits on your behalf.
• Apply for the City of Gulf Breeze STVR Registration Certificate, gather required documents, and schedule the required inspections before listing.

FAQ

Official sources

• City of Gulf Breeze – Short‑Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) page
• City of Gulf Breeze – Ordinance No. 05‑2024 (STVR registration + requirements)
• City of Gulf Breeze – STVR Registration Guide (required documents + inspection overview)
• Santa Rosa County – Tourist Development Tax (TDT) overview
• Florida Dept. of Revenue – Local Option Transient Rental Tax Rates (DR‑15TDT)
• Florida Dept. of Revenue – Discretionary Sales Surtax Information (DR‑15DSS)
• Florida DBPR – Apply for a New Vacation Rental (Dwelling) License checklist

Last verified: 2025-12-21. Rules and fees can change. Confirm directly with the relevant authority and any HOA or condo association.

Gulf Breeze STR Market Context

Gulf Breeze is a small, residential peninsula city between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, so demand tends to be driven by beach access, family travel, and regional events while inventory remains relatively limited.

From a compliance standpoint, the City’s STVR program emphasizes registration, inspections, and fast response to neighborhood issues—so operations (parking, noise, trash timing, and guest caps) matter as much as pricing strategy.

What makes this market different

• Plan for a compliance-first setup: City registration certificate, an initial inspection before first occupancy, and ongoing annual inspections.
• Guest caps are tied to bedroom size/count, so confirm your true “max guests” early (don’t assume a platform default).
• Neighborhood friction is usually about parking, noise, and trash timing—tight operating rules reduce complaint risk.
• Remote owners should budget for a reliable <strong>24/7</strong> designated responsible party (local manager or trusted local contact).
• Tax stack is meaningful: 6% state + 1% county surtax + 5% county TDT—verify what your platform remits vs what you must file directly.

Investor tip: treat compliance as a first-pass filter. Verify property-specific rules before finalizing purchase assumptions.

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