Where short-term rentals are allowed in Fernandina Beach, FL

What Fernandina Beach asks of you

• The city treats a rental of twenty-nine days or less as short term, and requires a Resort Rental Dwelling Permit for it.^[6]

• To qualify, the property must be zoned R-3, high density residential, or be an R-1 or R-2 property granted grandfathered status. In all other districts the minimum rental is thirty days.^[6]

• State and county licenses come first, including a Florida public lodging license, and any business located inside the city limits needs a Fernandina Beach local business tax receipt.^[6]

• Permits are valid for one year, running from October 1 to September 30.^[7]

• A completed inspection checklist for the resort rental dwelling is required each year, and the DBPR or any licensed home inspector may carry it out.^[7]

• Every listing must include the city's short-term rental license number, in the format RRDP-00000-0000.^[6]

What Florida asks wherever you host

These rules apply at this address whatever the city decides.

• Florida licenses vacation rentals itself. A dwelling license covers houses, townhouses and buildings of up to four units. A condominium or cooperative unit takes a condominium license instead. The license costs $150 plus $10 per rental unit, plus a $10 hospitality education fee.^[2]

• No Florida city may ban vacation rentals. It may not set how long or how often you rent either. The one exception is a local ordinance already in force on June 1, 2011, which still applies.^[1]

• State sales tax is due on every rental of six months or less. A bona fide written lease for more than six months of continuous residence is exempt. So is the seventh month onward once a guest has stayed and paid for six.^[3]