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Tampa vs. St. Petersburg: short-term-rental rules
Both are in Florida, but the rules differ. Tampa is currently the more permissive of the two for short-term rentals (Allowed with registration), while St. Petersburg is tighter (Restricted).
| Rule | Tampa | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| STR status | Allowed with registration | Restricted |
| City license / registration | City of Tampa Business Tax Receipt (rental property) | St. Petersburg Local Business Tax Receipt |
| Primary residence | Not specified | Not specified |
| Minimum stay | No set minimum | No set minimum |
| Lodging tax | ~13.5% total | ~13.0% total |
| Enforcement | Not specified | Active |
For most hosts, Tampa is the easier of the two to operate in today, but confirm the specifics — rules change, and the "Restricted" status in St. Petersburg may still allow rentals under the right conditions. Open each full record for the cited, dated details.
Full Tampa rules Full St. Petersburg rules
Frequently asked questions
Is short-term renting easier in Tampa or St. Petersburg?
Tampa is currently the more permissive (Allowed with registration) versus St. Petersburg (Restricted). Verify against each city's full record, since rules change.
Do both Tampa and St. Petersburg require a license or registration?
Tampa: yes — City of Tampa Business Tax Receipt (rental property). St. Petersburg: yes — St. Petersburg Local Business Tax Receipt.
Which has lower lodging taxes, Tampa or St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is lower at ~13.0% total. Combined lodging tax stacks state + local rates; see each record for the breakdown and who remits.
Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against each jurisdiction's official sources.