Short-term rental rules · Panama City Beach, Florida
Short-term rentals in Panama City Beach, explained properly.
Panama City Beach allows vacation rentals in houses and condos but requires every unit to hold an annual Vacation Rental Certificate under Ordinance 1632, effective February 1, 2024. Getting one means passing a fire inspection, which sets and posts the maximum occupancy, and registering ($250 new, $150 renewal). Hosts must post interior safety information and an exterior sign or decal with a 24/7 contact. Renting without a certificate is unlawful, with fines of $500, then $1,000, and a one-year revocation for a third violation within 12 months. Guests pay about 12% in combined taxes inside the Bay County tourist development district.
Draft. These rules were compiled from the sources listed below — official where available, with fields that rely on secondary sources marked for review — and have not yet been checked line by line. Confirm with the city before making decisions.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Vacation Rental Certificate required | Under Ordinance 1632, every vacation rental must hold a valid Vacation Rental Certificate, and it is unlawful to rent or allow occupancy without one[1] |
| Ordinance 1632 effective February 1, 2024 | The certificate program took effect February 1, 2024[2]Confirming |
| $250 new, $150 renewal | New applications pay a $250 registration fee; renewals pay $150. A failed inspection adds a $75 re-inspection fee, and failing to give the inspector access adds a $100 lockout fee[1] |
| Fire inspection sets maximum occupancy | New applicants must pass an inspection before certification; Panama City Beach Fire Rescue sets the maximum occupancy, which must be posted[1] |
| Interior notice and exterior sign required | Post near the entrance or refrigerator: address, responsible party contact, maximum occupancy, trash days, nearest hospital, an evacuation map (at least 8.5 x 11 inches) and a noise/parking/occupancy notice. Houses need a street-facing sign and condos a decal showing the responsible party, a 24/7 phone number and the certificate/Business Tax Receipt number[1] |
| $500 / $1,000 / revocation | First offense $500; second $1,000; third or later within 12 months $1,000 plus a one-year certificate revocation[1] |
| About 12% combined inside the tourist district | A secondary source puts the combined rate at 12% inside the Bay County tourist development district (6% state sales tax, 1% county surtax, 5% Bay County tourist development tax, which hosts collect themselves) and 7% outside it[2]Confirming |
| Last researched | September 25, 2026 |
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Detailed rules
The full picture, section by section
Application documents
| Four documents to apply | A notarized affidavit, a Florida DBPR vacation rental license, proof of Bay County tourist development tax registration, and a local Business Tax Receipt number[2]Confirming |
|---|
Changes
Recent and pending changes
Watch the Panama City Beach Fire Rescue short-term rental page and City Council agendas for fee or ordinance changes. The effective date, document list and tax breakdown come from a secondary source and should be confirmed.
Sources
Every rule above links to one of these
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This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.