Can I Airbnb in Santa Rosa Beach, FL? (2026)
Santa Rosa Beach is an unincorporated community governed by Walton County, which allows short-term rentals in every zoning district that permits residential use but requires each non-exempt dwelling to hold an annual Walton County Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate ($300/year) on top of a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, a Florida Department of Revenue tax registration, and a county Tourist Development Tax account. There are no owner-occupancy rules, night caps, or minimum-stay requirements, but units must meet occupancy (1 person per 150 sq ft), parking, life-safety, signage, and 24/7 local-responsible-party standards, and operating without a certificate draws a $500-per-day penalty. Guests pay roughly 12% in lodging taxes (6% state sales tax + 1% county surtax + 5% South Walton Tourist Development Tax); platforms do not collect the 5% TDT, so hosts must remit it to the county themselves.
What’s required: a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate (Walton County Vacation Rental Registration Program) ($300) is required; occupancy taxes apply; renew annual.
Check a specific address
Rules can vary by zone and parcel. Resolve any Florida street address to its jurisdiction and see the verified rules that apply.
Related
Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Also check HOA/condo rules and your lease, which can prohibit short-term rentals even where the city allows them.