How to get a short-term rental permit in Key West, FL (2026)
Key West requires Transient rental business tax receipt with transient medallion license (City of Key West); plus State of Florida DBPR lodging license under Chapter 509, F.S. — the fee is $34.03, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Transient rental business tax receipt with transient medallion license (City of Key West); plus State of Florida DBPR lodging license under Chapter 509, F.S. |
| Permit fee | $34.03 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Unlicensed transient use of residential dwellings is prohibited citywide (Sec. 122-1371(b)). Transient units and licenses exist only where transient use is an allowed zoning use, and the city's Transient Rental Transfer Location map permits transfers to properties zoned CG, HCT, HRCC-1 and HRCC-3; to HNC-1 and HNC-3 only when no on-site displacement of permanent housing occurs; and to HPRD only as a conditional use. The total number of transient units is capped under the Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS) — a transfer 'shall not cause a net increase of units in the city' — so operating generally requires acquiring an existing license/unit via the Planning Board transfer process (Secs. 122-1336 to 122-1340). The special Truman Annex (HPRD) 26-weeks-per-year nonconforming rental permits under Sec. 122-1372 became void on December 22, 2025.
- 2
Apply for the Transient rental business tax receipt with transient medallion license (City of Key West); plus State of Florida DBPR lodging license under Chapter 509, F.S.
Submit the Transient rental business tax receipt with transient medallion license (City of Key West); plus State of Florida DBPR lodging license under Chapter 509, F.S. application to Key West and pay the $34.03 fee. Sec. 66-109 sets the annual business tax at $34.03 per unit for 'Transient residential' rental (transient guesthouse or hotel/motel/timeshare units are $19.54 per unit). In addition, Sec. 122-1371(e)(1) requires an annual inspection and enforcement fee 'established by City Commission Resolution' whose current amount is not published in the code; a transfer of a transient medallion license on sale of the property costs 10% of the annual license tax. A separate Florida DBPR vacation rental license is also required.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Key West. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Key West changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Keep going
Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Key West before applying.