Short-term rental rules in Miramar Beach, Florida

Short-Term Rental Rules in Miramar Beach, Florida

Use this summary as a quick underwriting checklist before you buy or list a property.

Rules summary

Are short-term rentals allowed?

STRs are commonly operated in Miramar Beach, but what’s allowed can vary by parcel zoning and private HOA/condo rules. Always verify the exact address (don’t rely on the mailing city name).

Where is it regulated?

Walton County (Vacation Rental Registration Program and code compliance) plus Florida requirements (tax rules and, where applicable, DBPR vacation rental licensing). HOA/condo associations can add stricter limits.

Registration or license

Most rentals of 30 days or less in Walton County require an annual vacation rental registration. Depending on property type and how it’s offered, you may also need a Florida DBPR vacation rental license—confirm for your unit.

Local taxes

Expect Florida sales tax (6%) plus Walton County discretionary sales surtax (commonly 1%) and Walton County’s Tourist Development Tax (South Walton is 5% for ZIP 32550). Total guest‑facing lodging tax is typically about 12% in Miramar Beach for stays of 6 months or less (confirm by address and whether the platform remits each component).

Fees

Walton County VRRP annual registration fees (effective 2/1/2025) are $300 per property for an Individual registration or $227 per property for a Community registration. Common add‑ons include $125 (managing agent change), $25 (local responsible party change), and $100 (paper processing).

Occupancy and parking

County enforcement is often complaint‑driven (noise, parking, trash, guest behavior). In Miramar Beach, practical limits are frequently set by condo/HOA rules (parking passes, amenity access, guest limits) and your ability to respond quickly via a local contact.

Minimum stay

No county‑wide minimum stay is summarized here for Miramar Beach; minimum stays are often set by HOA/condo bylaws and market strategy. Verify at the address level.

Enforcement and penalties

Operating without required county registration can be fined at $500/day under county policy, and repeat issues may escalate enforcement.

What to do next

• Look up the parcel in Walton County GIS/appraiser to confirm jurisdiction (Walton vs Okaloosa) and zoning.
• Review HOA/condo documents for rental caps, minimum stays, parking rules, and fines before underwriting.
• Complete Walton County VRRP registration (and set a renewal reminder).
• Register/confirm lodging tax collection and remittance (Florida DOR + Walton County TDT), and verify what your platform remits.
• Confirm DBPR licensing status if the property type triggers state public lodging requirements.

FAQ

Official sources

• Walton County – Vacation Rental Registration Program (VRRP) fees and policies
• Walton County Clerk – Tourist Development Tax (South Walton 5% / North Walton 3%)
• Florida DOR – Sales tax on rental accommodations (GT‑800034 brochure)
• Florida DOR – Discretionary sales surtax rates (county table)
• Florida DBPR – Vacation rentals / public lodging licensing information
• Miramar Beach, Florida (Walton County, ZIP 32550) – reference

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

Miramar Beach STR Market Context

Miramar Beach tends to underwrite like the rest of South Walton: strong beach demand, big seasonal swings, and a high share of condo/HOA‑governed inventory. The biggest risks

for investors are (1) buying into an HOA that quietly restricts rentals, and (2) assuming “Destin” rules apply when the parcel is actually in Walton County.

What makes this market different

• Confirm jurisdiction and zoning with Walton County GIS/appraiser; “Destin” may be a mailing address while the parcel is in Walton County.
• Miramar Beach (ZIP 32550) is treated as South Walton for TDT purposes (5% TDT).
• Budget for annual VRRP registration ($300 individual / $227 community) and keep renewal timing on your calendar.
• If the property is a condo or a multi‑unit setup, double‑check DBPR licensing requirements and any building rules that affect operations.
• Plan for complaint‑driven enforcement: noise, parking, trash, and a responsive local responsible party.

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

Short-Term ROI Calculator in Miramar Beach

Estimate monthly revenue, expenses, and cash flow for a short-term rental in Miramar Beach.