Flagler County vacation rental rules, in plain English.
Which registrations you need depends on where your home sits. Here's how it breaks down for Marineland Acres, the Hammock, the City of Palm Coast and the rest of Flagler County.
Not legal advice. Rules and fees change, and Florida's legislature revisits vacation rental preemption most sessions. Confirm current requirements with the agencies linked below before you list. Last verified October 6, 2026.
Step 1: Figure out which jurisdiction you're in
Most homes in Flagler County fall into one of three buckets:
- Unincorporated Flagler County — including Marineland Acres and the Hammock, even though they use a Palm Coast mailing address. County rules apply.
- City of Palm Coast — inside city limits. The city's 2025 short-term rental ordinance applies, and the city also expects county-level registrations.
- City of Flagler Beach and other municipalities — their own rules (Flagler Beach, for example, requires a 7-night minimum stay).
The Flagler County Property Appraiser's parcel search will tell you which jurisdiction a specific address falls under.
Step 2: State requirements (everyone)
Florida DBPR vacation rental license
A home or condo rented more than three times a calendar year for stays under 30 days — or advertised as regularly available for them — needs a vacation rental license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Dwelling and condo licenses are issued separately.
Florida Department of Revenue registration
Register to collect sales tax on transient rentals. Airbnb collects and remits the state sales tax and county surtax on its bookings; VRBO collects state tax and surtax as well. Direct bookings are on you.
Step 3: Flagler County tourist development tax (everyone)
Flagler County charges a 5% tourist development tax on short-term rental revenue, on top of 7% state sales tax, for a 12% total. The county Tax Collector is explicit that it has no agreement with Airbnb, VRBO or other platforms, so owners must register and file the 5% themselves.
- Returns are filed monthly, due on the 1st of the following month and late after the 20th.
- File even in months with no bookings.
This is the requirement new owners miss most often, because Airbnb's tax line makes it look like everything is handled. It isn't.
Step 4: Local registration
Unincorporated Flagler County (Marineland Acres, the Hammock)
The county's short-term vacation rental ordinance (Ordinance 2015-02) requires an annual certificate for each rental. Per the county's current application form:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Certificate fees | $400 initial, $200 renewal, $50 transfer or modification |
| Inspection | Before the certificate is issued, and later with notice |
| Responsible party | A designated contact available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Parking | At least one off-street space per three occupants |
| Exempt | Properties west of US-1, buildings with three or more units, and owner-occupied homes |
City of Palm Coast
Palm Coast adopted its first short-term rental ordinance (2025-01) in January 2025. Per the city's short-term rental page, owners register annually and submit:
- A sample lease, a designated responsible party, and city and county business tax receipts
- Florida DOR registration, a DBPR license, a signed compliance affidavit and proof of advertising compliance
- The registration fee set by Resolution 2025-05 (reported at $275 a year plus a $75 inspection fee at adoption)
Operating rules include a 10-person occupancy cap, quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., no lawn or street parking (and no swale parking from 1 to 6 a.m.), and a maximum of two pets.
Don't forget HOAs and insurance
Deed restrictions or HOA rules can be stricter than any government rule. And a standard homeowner's policy usually doesn't cover short-term rental use — make sure yours does.
Want this handled?
Keeping registrations current and filing the bed tax every month is part of how we support owners. If you'd rather not track it yourself, let's talk.
Vacation rental rules FAQ
Does Airbnb collect the Flagler County tourist development tax?
No. The Flagler County Tax Collector states it has no agreement with Airbnb, VRBO or other platforms, so owners must register and remit the 5% tourist development tax themselves, monthly. Airbnb does collect Florida state sales tax and the county discretionary surtax on bookings.
What is the total tax on a Flagler County vacation rental?
12%: the 5% Flagler County tourist development tax plus 7% Florida sales tax (6% state plus the 1% county surtax).
Do I need a DBPR license for my Airbnb in Florida?
Usually. Florida requires a DBPR vacation rental license for a home or condo rented more than three times a year for stays shorter than 30 days, or advertised as regularly available for such stays.
Do Palm Coast's short-term rental rules apply in Marineland Acres?
No. Marineland Acres and the Hammock are in unincorporated Flagler County, so the county's short-term vacation rental certificate applies instead of the City of Palm Coast's registration.
What is the maximum occupancy for a Palm Coast short-term rental?
The City of Palm Coast caps short-term rentals at 10 people. In unincorporated Flagler County, occupancy is set on your certificate based on the home and its off-street parking (one space per three occupants).
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